table layout with multiple record deletion

[filemaker 8 user]

I am setting up a database for my emails but the junk mail is killing me. I have set up elaborate rules to get rid of the junk but some always comes through.

What I am trying to figure out is how to select multiple records at once in a table layout and delete them. I want to be able to check records 1-3, record 6, and reocrds 11-30 for example as they are all junk mail. The problem is that hitting delete for each one is tedious. Does anyone know a way to just click on a grouping of records in the table layout so that they can be deleted together once Im done picking through all the records? I have attached some samples of what im dealing with.

Thanks

mail.fp7.zip

[Fitch]

You can make a script that finds and deletes the checked records. E.g.:

Perform Find( Restore )  // where the criteria is x

Delete All Records(No dialog)

Note: I'd use a checkbox field with a value list of 1 rather than typing "x" - it's easier to use and is more common practice.

[filemaker 8 user]

Got you on the script, thats no big deal. The real question im trying to answer is how to say check 25 records in a row without checking 25 boxes? This email account gets about 250 messages a day with say 25% spam so on monday I have to delete about 170+ spam messages. Clicking on a check box 170 times is no joke on the wrist.

I was hoping someone would know how to rig a table so that you could just hilight the records you wanted deleted and then just delete them. I thought if you could drag over a few records and for them be hilighted or checked by just draging the mouse over a selection of say record 22-34, rather then clicking on each record of 22-34. Does that make sense.

Thanks

[Fitch]

You can simulate a shift-click with scripts. You'd want your checkbox to be a button that stores the record ID when selecting the checkbox. When shift-clicking, the script would loop from the current record back until it reaches the record ID, selecting all the checkboxes.

May I also suggest you install SpamAssasin or something similar on your email server? Or use SpamSieve? Or, have you looked into using gMail as a spam filter?

[filemaker 8 user]

Hey Fitch

"You can simulate a shift-click with scripts. You'd want your checkbox to be a button that stores the record ID when selecting the checkbox. When shift-clicking, the script would loop from the current record back until it reaches the record ID, selecting all the checkboxes."

I know with the above quote that you spelled out what to do but im still a bit lost. By shift-clicking do you mean:

1. click on the first record(say record 4) you want it to loop back

2.click on the last record (say record 13)

3. initiate script to loop backwards starting with record 13 deleting until it hits the first record #4 then exit the script.

Is this what you are talking about?

The spam issue is something I do not have the ability to change. Your options are great but due to things out of my control I cannot make any changes.

Thanks

[Fitch]

Using your example...

1. Click on 4: this stores record 4

2. Shift-click on 13: initiates script

The checkbox is the button. A click without shift sets the starting point and checks/unchecks the checkbox. You can click and select non-contiguous checkboxes all you want; only the most recent record ID is stored, in a global variable or global field. A shift-click loops from the current record to the last-clicked record.

[filemaker 8 user]

Thanks again Fitch,

Ok I have the check box set up as a button but setting it up so that a click without shift sets a starting point is beyond my knowledge.

What do I need to set this up, set the checkbox as a variable to record the record id?

Hows doe sthe shift click initiate the script? I have attached a new example that has the script and the check box setup. I know Im close but just missing some details.

Please take a look at the new example.

Thanks

mail.fp7.zip

[Fenton]

OK, I've got something like this. You click on the 1st record's checkbox. Then you hold the Shift key down and click on the 2nd. It will toggle any records between them (inclusively).

There is also a script to Find and Delete the marked records. I do not believe in making mass deletion of records a 1-step process. You could however remove the dialog in the deletion script. Remember there is no "undo" after a FileMaker record deletion.

MarkMultipleRecords.fp7.zip

[Fitch]

Nicely done, Fenton.