Portal highlighting issue in XP

[Mantic Cow]

Hi guys, hoping that someone can sort out this highlighting problem I have.

I'm using a database that when you click into a portal, the colours of everything within it are sort of inverted (the dark grey background becomes light grey, cyan boxes become orange, etc). It's lurid and horrible. Now this happens under XP but not OS X (OS X simply applies a grey tone to selected objects).

I wouldn't be surprised if this is an operating system issue rather than anything to do with FileMaker but after a long hour of searching, I've found nothing. I've noticed that any object within the portal that is static (a non-enterable field, the portal background, etc) is simply remaining highlighted until you click elsewhere on the layout. Objects which do something (buttons, fields you can access, etc) highlight with the horrible invert for just a moment and then reset to their original colours.

Any ideas? I'd love to be able t use the muted highlighting options of OS X rather than this gaudy horror!

[aldipalo]

Welcome to the Forum.

Do you have 'Select Entire Field Contents On Entry' checked in your behaviors box? "Right Click->Field Control->Behaviors" That will cause your entire field to change colors when you enter into it. You can un-check it and it will remain the same colors unless you highlight the field contents.

Try using conditional formatting and have the field change to the color use desire or just stay the color you wish.

Set the color of the field to your choice, then set conditional format to:

Formula is 1

And select the color when the field is inactive. Now, when you enter the field it will turn the color you desire.

hth

[LaRetta]

When you select a portal but don't specifically click into a field, FileMaker highlights the ENTIRE portal that horrid black. You will need to either 1) make sure fields fill the entire row (stretch them up and across if necessary) or 2) create a transparent rectangle with button attached which is either Commit Records/Requests or Go To Field [ whichever Field you specify ].

To get the 'selected' item's color to be prettier ... play around with it. You will find that every single color of the 16.7 million has an opposite color which will be reflected when a field is highlighted (or portal is highlighted). There are some pretty color combinations available but only you can decide what is pretty to you.

If you would like a sample file which shows what I am talking about, I will be happy to provide one.

As Al has said, you can control a FIELD'S highlight when you enter the field (by de-selecting 'select all' in behaviors) and you can control the field's background color when you leave the field (using conditional formatting). But control over unenterable fields and the portal itself take a bit more work.

UPDATE: ... almost forgot ... if you use the transparent button over the entire row, be sure to place your fields on TOP of that button so they can be entered (if you wish them to be). Also, it is easier to keep the transparent button a color until you get it positioned perfectly. Otherwise it is difficult to grab it (if transparent).

LaRetta :wink2:

Edited August 20, 2008 by Guest
Added sentence & update

[Mantic Cow]

Many thanks for your help people!

"Do you have 'Select Entire Field Contents On Entry' checked in your behaviors box?". Well it's not just the non-enterable fields that have the colour issues - it's also the portal itself (and you can't use the field control controls on that). Sorry, I probably wasn't clear in my description of the fault. Yup, your conditional formatting suggestion certainly sounds worth trying - I'll give that a go.

I very much like the idea of the transparent button layered over the non-enterable fields. Nice one - I'll try that on for size.

Seriously, thanks for your help people. My butt may well have been pulled out of the flames of aggravation )

I'll post my results later ......

[Mantic Cow]

Hi LaRetta

That worked very well. It's not perfect (that's Windows for you) but it's sooo much better than before. Unfortunately I can't mess about with the colours as they've been chosen for me already (continuity with another primary system and all that).

Thanks guys, my bacon has been saved once again.