Simplified entry of dates

[hbquikcomjamesl]

I'm new to FileMaker, having just bought a developer edition of 7 on eBay. I'm working on a FileMaker version of a database I'd originally developed in ClarisWorks (MacOS 8).

In ClarisWorks, entering a single unpunctuated number into a date field would implicitly enter the current month and year, and entering month and day into the field would implicitly enter the current year.

Is there a way to make this happen in FileMaker 7? It does speed up data entry just a bit.

[Vaughan]

Congratulations on getting into FileMaker Pro!

You can use auto-enter calculations to do the ClarisWorks date tricks but it will require self-assembly. Consider it a challenge to begin learning about FileMaker Pro's text parsing and date handling functions. :

FileMaker Pro 7.0 was the first version of the *new and improved* database engine. It was revolutionary compared to earlier versions. Most people would agree that FMP 7.0 was the buggiest, too. Patch updates are free from the FMI web site.

However I'd recommend you move to a later version. I'd recommend FMP 8.5 as a minimum; it was the first version that was Intel-native for Mac OS X, and it has lots of must-have goodies like variables and the web viewer to play with.

[comment]

Unfortunately, Filemaker validates a date field BEFORE applying auto-entry options, so you will need to use TWO fields for this: a text field for entering the data, and the real date field.

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Actually, while I'm definitely interested in any maintenance patches that might apply (and thanks for the tip), please don't be offended when I say that I don't give a rodent's defecatory orifice about a "web viewer" (whatever that is; I neither host, nor publish dynamic data, on web sites) or code that runs natively on an Intel Mac (I have a G4 "bionic desk lamp" iMac).

As it turns out, date fields will take month and day with the current year implicit, and that's more than enough.

[comment]

If you don't need any of the features of later versions, you should be quite happy with version 7. However, there's no doubt that Vaughan's suggestion was intended to help you and your aggressive response to it is entirely unsuitable.

I'd also suggest you reserve your opinion regarding features (such as the web viewer) until you learn what they are.

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Not "aggressive," merely very frank and emphatic, and I apologize if it was perceived as aggressive.

And I am indeed quite happy with 7.0.

As to the web viewer, you're quite right, I haven't the slightest idea what it is, and I'll endeavor to relieve my ignorance. It just doesn't sound, at the moment, like anything even remotely relevant to the problem at hand, or to anything I anticipate ever doing.

**** reading whitepaper on web viewer ****

Hmm. It brings web content into a database.

Fascinating. I can see how it might be of some small benefit enhancing my current application, but it hardly seems worth the cost of an upgrade (assuming I could even get one).

At any rate, it turns out that I have 7.0 v3, which appears to be the definitive FM 7.

Edited August 1, 2008 by Guest

[comment]

As you'll get more familiar with Filemaker, you will discover that the coolest solutions are very often produced by using something that at first hand doesn't seem even remotely relevant to the problem at hand.

[Baylah]

The Web viewer and the ability to "auto-track" UPS, FEDEX, etc. shipments is one of the features all of my DB clients like the best. They don't understand (or care for that matter) how it works but they love it. The shipping guys enters the UPS tracking number on a form in their DB, and then everyone in the company at the click of a button can get the tracking results without the need to exit FM or ask anyone for anything. It is great when talking to a customer on the phone and they want to know the status of their shipment. The CSR looks so professional when they have the results in seconds. <> + <> voila!

And, even though this is a very simple feature to configure in FM it makes the developer (me) look like a genius. It is one of those things where the results are far more impressive than the effort required to make it work. This is just one of the many uses for this feature. I love the Web Viewer. :

OH...lest we forget "Set Variable" I can no longer imagine FM without it.

Steve

[Jack Rodgers]

I'm using 8.5 and a client is using 9. I showed him how to use the viewer for tracking ups but now he wants to bring the info into Filemaker about shipping, etc.

Any ideas?