Is it possible to apply a calculation to a text field that will decrease the font size automatically should there be too much text to display on one line so that it fits? I could decrease the font size for the field in question across the piece but it happens very rarely and I'm pushed already for layout space with regard to increasing the field width.

You can apply a conditional formatting calculation to the field on the layout based on a calculation something like this:

 

Length ( Self ) > 100 /* or some other number */

 

Then the format to use when this calculation result is True (1) can be whatever you specify under "More Formatting..." towards the bottom-right of the conditional formatting dialog.

Not sure why you can't make the field bigger, but you could increase the size of field so it will to accept the max amount of text, and then have the field slide up to eliminate white space when printing, or in preview mode.

 

Or, you can use a vertical scroll bar

You can apply a conditional formatting calculation to the field on the layout based on a calculation something like this:

 

Length ( Self ) > 100 /* or some other number */

 

Then the format to use when this calculation result is True (1) can be whatever you specify under "More Formatting..." towards the bottom-right of the conditional formatting dialog.

 

I think I was looking at this in too much detail. I was expecting some kind of calculation that automatically worked out how many characters fit in the field and then an appropriate automatic font resize. Never considered conditional formatting but your solution works, thank you.

Not sure why you can't make the field bigger, but you could increase the size of field so it will to accept the max amount of text, and then have the field slide up to eliminate white space when printing, or in preview mode.

 

Or, you can use a vertical scroll bar

 

I'm struggling for room width ways, but yes I could have increased the field depth.

I think I was looking at this in too much detail. I was expecting some kind of calculation that automatically worked out how many characters fit in the field and then an appropriate automatic font resize. Never considered conditional formatting but your solution works, thank you.

 

That's certainly possible with the TextSize ( text ; fontSize ) function, but I think conditional formatting will ultimately serve you better. You can create several steps of fonts size by creating multiple conditional formats for different threshold text lengths. Just make sure the conditions are listed in ascending order of text length (and thus descending order of font size) — the conditional formats evaluate in order, so later conditions can override earlier ones.

Not sure why you can't make the field bigger, but you could increase the size of field so it will to accept the max amount of text, and then have the field slide up to eliminate white space when printing, or in preview mode.

 

Or, you can use a vertical scroll bar

Hi Lee, I'm searching for the same answer… how to reduce text size for longer entries… and I see you have twice asked why this would need to be done.

In my case it's for printing a shipping label that can't be enlarged. Large text reads easier but sometimes you need the exception. I was using many levels of Conditional formatting (looking for a better way) but thats a pain since Text size in not on the first level of selection in the dialogue window (sadly this didn't change in 13) so if you have to modify it or need to do it to many different size fields it's cumbersome. FYI   ; )  and thanks for your many contributions.

Are you using the labels provided in FileMaker? i.e. did you create a Printing layout for labels?

There's a demo by Daniele Raybaudi somewhere here that reduces the font size of a field in a loop - until the field does not expand when clicked into it.

This one?

 

http://fmforums.com/forum/topic/89801-auto-adjust-address/?p=412039