Complete File Path for local dragged & Dropped file?

[Steve E.]

I'd like to be able to get the complete file path to files that have been Dragged & Dropped (not inserted) into container fields. None of the "Get" or "GetAs" functions seem to do this. Is there a function or work around to getting the complete file paths? The basic concept is for the end user to drag & drop files into a container field, with calculations/scripts obtaining the complete path, allowing renaming via AppleScript and other manipulations. Any ideas? If the file is "Inserted" this is trivial, but much more time consuming for the end user since they have to navigate to it.

 

This is in FM12 Advanced.

[Lee Smith]

Drag and Drop is like copying and pasting.

[Steve E.]

So, there's no way to extract the file path?

[Lee Smith]

if the file is named and on your hard drive, then you can maybe get the path using applescript (on the Mac) or the equivalent on Windows.

 

Please update your profile to reflect your current version of FileMaker, Platform, and OS.

[Steve E.]

That's unfortunate. This s for a document tracking/indexing solution. Ideally, the user 

 

1. D &Ds a scanned document /  file into FM

2. calculation(s)/script(s) determine the file path

3. that information is used in a calculation (container) field from which the document / file can be opened 

4. the document / file is opened by the user and key ID information (i.e. name, date) is entered into appropriate fields     

5. an AppleScript is used to rename the file using the new ID information

6. the file path and new name are used in a calculation (container) field to either directly store, or store a reference that can then be opened from within FM database.

 

This can be done if the document / file(s) are named and located  strictly; in other words, there is a strict naming and location convention. But its a stretch to expect that of all end users, so I have to be able to automatically obtain the complete file path. An alternative is to  initially "Insert" the document / file, but that is more time consuming than simply D &D.

 

Ideas are appreciated. Perhaps there is a way to automatically (or by default) set container fields so they "store a reference" even when used for D & D?