Can FM re-use the same objects in different layouts?

[atlzbest]

Hi Guys

I just started on FM so please excuse me if this is too basic or not even possible.

I am modifying an existing FM Pro 7 db in FM 10 adv.

There are some 50 layouts with similar fields going into the same table.

i need to make small modifications to some fields like changing the default color, default font etc.

is there a fast way to do it? i was thinking change it in one layout and copy/paste it (would this break any references to tables/scripts that point to it?) but i also had a question in mind that for future purpose can all layouts point to the same object so if i even make a change in one layout, it gets reflected on all layouts?

thanks

atlz

[mr_vodka]

A layout is based off a Table Occurrence. Therefore if you had for example a table called People, and 10 of your layouts were based off the table occurrence "People" then you would be fine to copy and paste the formatted fields.

However, if one of your layouts were based off a second occurrence of the People table "People 2" then you would have to copy and paste the fields on the layout and then change each field to reflect the proper table occurrence.

Any scripts steps that require a field to be on a layout such as copy/paste will not work properly if you refer to the wrong referenced field while others such as Set Field[] will work properly.

[Lee Smith]

You can copy and paste Layout Objects, or whole layouts. However, this isn't always the easiest, or best way to make changes.

Learn about the different Layout Tools, they can really speed up the process of Layout Design. The first thing I do is to View ; Select Objects by Type, Arrange, etc. See the attachments for the ones I usually have open

The second one shows what my layout tool menu looks like most of the time.

Right click your Mouse Button when you have one or more labels, fields or objects selected, and you can make some of these changes.

Do yourself a favor and read about and play with the different tools, they can save you a lot of time.

HTH

Lee

Edited June 19, 2009 by Guest

[Fitch]

To answer your last question: that would be nice, but no.

[comment]

Not really - but perhaps the format painter tool can help.

[Søren Dyhr]

What isn't touched by the other repliers to this question, is that a tool like this:

http://www.myfmbutler.com/index.lasso?p=422

...lets you interact by piggybagging a line-editor upon clipped xml, where simple textual replacements of such as colour tags, or even font attributes are made easy piecy.

--sd