Validation limit to typed field length

[Maurice H]

Hi"

I am trying to prevent wordwrapping in a typed field . I can do this by using the define field and selecting "Length" in the "Specify Calculation ". I then choose a number of

characters in the setting up. The problem with this is that unless a constant width type font is used there is no consistency in the character length typed in the field .

Is there some way that the validation will occur at the same position in the field based on pixellation count ? Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks.

[comment]

Is there some way that the validation will occur at the same position in the field based on pixellation count ?

Not really. Validation is based on data - not on the way the data happens to be presented in a specific instance on a specific layout (and there can be more than one of those).

What is the actual issue here?

[Wim Decorte]

I think you have that wrong...the length function looks at the length of the value in the field and is independent of the font used. it is basically just a count of the characters. Keep in mind that invisible characters like returns and tabs also count.

[Maurice H]

Hi- Thanks for the prompt replies. I did realise that length is based on character count.

Without validation, when my typist occasionally exceeds the line length ,wordwrap

places the extra words in the wordwrapped line (as it should).

On several occasions in browse mode I have been unaware that a second hidden line

existed. Of course when I click on a line that hidden line appears.

Is there a possibility that Filemaker can be set up in either of the following two ways?

1. A beep indicates that the field physical length has been reached ( I think back to

the good(?) old days of manual typewriters)

2. An indication appears in browser mode that a particular line has a hidden wordwrapped

line following.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks - Maurice.

[comment]

It's sort of possible, but not through validation. See:

http://fmforums.com/forum/topic/53755-auto-validate-based-on-number-of-text-lines/page__p__294002#entry294002

and also:

http://fmforums.com/forum/topic/52521-hidden-text-in-text-field/page__view__findpost__p__246658

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P.S. Please update your profile to reflect your version.

[Maurice H]

Hi-

I now realise why the typist is getting so many wrap arounds.

She zooms in and types the last words within the field limit .

For checking I zoom out (on a smaller screen) and the last word

or two wordwrap.

If I use a constant width font such as Lucida

Console, there is no wordwrap.

However because it is more economical on space I would prefer

to use a variable width font such as Arial.

I tried a similar test on Excell and there is no change on zoom.

I am using FP5 ver - could this be the problem ?

Many thanks for your help to date - Any ideas you have on this

would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks - Maurice

[comment]

I am using FP5 ver - could this be the problem ?

Well, it is a problem in the sense that the workarounds suggested above may not work for you - the first one for certain, I am not sure about the other.

[Maurice H]

Hi - I found that using the font "comic sans" gave the best average results .

In fact there haven't been any wrap arounds to date

when I unzoom from the typist's zoomed copy

Thanks again - your comments were appreciated. Maurice