Parsing Text Calc

[Harry]

Hi Board,

 

I have viewed a few YouTube videos with people running calcs to parse text. As they are building the calc, a preview of the result shows up in the bottom of the calc definition window - so you can see how close you are to you're requirement.

 

They seem to be older versions, 7, 8, 9etc. Does v13 have this feature? Where can i find it?

 

Thanks,

 

Harry

[Lee Smith]

They are using the Tool called Data Viewer only available in Advance Edition of FileMaker.

 

Menu >> Data Viewer >> Watch (Tab) here is the help link Using the Data Viewer

 

I use it all of the time.

[Harry]

Thank you! 

 

In the YouTube videos, as the calc is typed, the text is effected in the bottom window of the Data Viewer. How do you select which field to run the calc on?

 

Thanks again.

[Lee Smith]

Hi Harry,

Been a while since I watch that video, I hope I’m understanding your question.

Open the file with the fields you want to test. Open the Data Viewer. The fields should appear above the Expression box. If not, choose the right TO from the Drop Down menu above the list of fields, If you need to create a new field to include in your expression, you can do that too by selecting Manage Database from the list. The point is, you have to have the fields in order to write an expression or calculation.

Type the Expression using your fields.

Note: the fields will appear with the TO in front of them i.e. TableOccurance::FieldName

That Help?

Lee

Edited April 18, 2014 by Lee Smith
added to the answer

[eos]

How do you select which field to run the calc on?

 

There is no field as such; you're working in sort of sandbox, or a shell into the Calculation Engine – the Data Viewer is a virtual field in the context of the frontmost window, if you will.

 

When you have your calculation working, you can copy the code and create a calculation field (or put it into the calc field you copied it from in the first place), or use it in a script step, or any other Edit Calculation dialog.

[Lee Smith]

You can use Manage Database in Drop Down List to put the calculation in the field also.

[Lee Smith]

There is no field as such; you're working in sort of sandbox, or a shell into the Calculation Engine – the Data Viewer is a virtual field in the context of the frontmost window, if you will.

I not following this explanation, I don’t see this as a sandbox when it comes to the fields. Data View will ask for the table and field. If I’m missing something, please let me know.

[eos]

Data View will ask for the table and field.

 

You're using the Calculation Engine and are working with (the data from) your fields (and variables), but you're not working in a field. And for that matter, you don't have to use any of your fields/variables – you could just try out some function/concept by defining data structures on the fly and applying functions to them.

 

An entry in the Data Viewer's “Watch” list is anonymous, and if you don't “Monitor” it, it will vanish. Sounds rather sandbox-ish to me …

[Harry]

OK, yea, i was thinking this was like a sandbox test bed type thing. And that i could just type up some expressions and the result would pop up at the bottom - but i didn't see how to bring up the '...of what' in the 'result of...' bit. But thanks for the explanations! I'm going to be using this a lot; not just for parsing!

[lhooq]

It is called Data Viewer and can be found under the Tools menu in Filemaker Pro Advanced. If you only have Filemaker Pro, then you won't find it as it is only available in the Advanced version.

 

In the Data Viewer window you have two tabs, one called Current and one called Watch. Click on the Watch tab, then the Plus symbol on the bottom right. You will then get a 'sandbox' style calculation editor.

 

It is an absolute lifesaver.