G'Day everyone.

I am new to all this FMP12 stuff and I am the first to admit that I know 99% of absolutely nothing..... I am in the process of developing a client contact database for my new business. I need to create a section within the client record so I can import / export multiple files of different types (pdf's, xls, ppt etc) I have tried playing around with container fields and basic scripting. The most I have been able to achieve is importing a single file image icon for the file, but no file or even link. Can someone please help me with a (he is an idiot) explanation....

Cheers

Nearly Bald from frustration.

Daniel Welcome to the forums,

In FMP 12 you can create a Container field and can drag & drop a file on to that container - or create a button that runs a script to import a file / or image to that field.

once a file is attached you can right click on the field and choose to EXPORT FIELD CONTENTS. or attach that step to a button or use a script.

On the layout if you click the field in the inspector there is a checkbox that allows interaction with the file - only some files will allow interaction - some will be displayed as a icon.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for your reply Ocean West, and the welcome.

I just applied the container field with the interaction pdf as your pic showed (never saw that, geez I'm blind) so that worked well, is there a way to import multiple files in the one record. Say I have a proposal pdf, a pricing spreadsheet and a powerpoint presentation. Can I import them into a specific field so when I come back to the record or access it via iPad i can see each document as required.

Sorry if this is before beginner but I am new at databasing and don't know where to start

Cheers

Daniel

in that case what you will want to do is create two tables one for main entity ( person / project / etc) and a related table of children documents. Each record in this table contains a container for the document.

BTW that behavior is brand new in FMP12 you picked a good time to join the fray :)

Hmmmm Wow....I think this is going to make me completely bald... you lost me at "in that case" but I picked you up at the part you were telling me I am trying to figure this out when it is all new....

can I iChat you and give you control....lol

Here is a very basic sample that I put together.

documents.fmp12.zip

Here is a very basic sample that I put together.

documents.fmp12.zip

OOOOPPPPSSSS, i was completely going in the wrong direction.....thank you very much for your time and mock up, mate that is exactly what i need to do, i just have to figure out how to incorporate that into the current DB. I am assuming that my idea of having a "tab" called attachments and having this table in that tab is a feasible one?

You would have a portal on that tab that would display a list of the related document records from the documents table.

There is a lot to know about relational database development. Have you considered looking into one of the tutorial series at either www.vtc.com or www.lynda.com ? These will give you the basics and provide you with a foundation of knowlege to start with. Otherwise there is a very good chance that you will unknowingly go about things in the wrong direction and create a lot of work for yourself trying to fix or rebuild later on. A strong base structure that includes propper normalization and relationship setup is absolutely necessary to build a good database. If you build it wrong in the beginning, everything you add from there on out will be based on flawed structure.

The last webinar showed an example doing multiple files importation, please check youtube or Keylogic blog for "Webinar 6: Container Field Enhancements"

thanks all, issue was resolved. I appreciate everyones input...