Merge Variable of Slide Panel name

[tdub808]

Aloha All,

DISCLAMER

I'm not a programmer nor a technical writer and also is ESL. So my writing is tailored to me or someone like me aka noobie as F* (toward me not you). Detail and step by step and as clear as possible. Please let me know if i’d missed something or grammar correction.

System: As of 04-20-2016 (not potting around) macOS 10.11.4 (yeah I’m using macOS name form now on instead of OS X), iOS 9.3.1, Filemaker Pro Advance 14.0.5 and GO 14.0.4 

OBJECTIVE

Make merge variable to show the slide control panel's object name (the name of the front most slide panel). So when the file is open the merge variable will show the name of the from most slide control panel letting you know which slide you're on.

ISSUE

Merge Variable does not show value on open first window. Please read entirety below.

WORKAROUND

Although it's a lame hack that I prefer not to use but it does the job. I'd included these two ugly steps in the script Go To Object [ Object Name: "Panel2" ] then Go To Object [ Object Name: "Panel1" ] to have the merge variable show Panel1 name on opening of the file.

# the number symbol or the hashtag is to comment as a note to yourself and others about the script line(s) (ignored when the scrip is performed functional line).

Set Variable [ $$panelName; Value:GetValue ( Get ( TriggerTargetPanel ) ; 2 ) ] 
#The "2" is the result value which is the name of the objectName that you gave it in the inspector panel. Number "1" will return the number of the panel. As in 1 (which is the first) of 3 panels or 2 (which is the second) of 3 panels or 3 (which is the third) of the 3 panels.

Go to Object [ Object Name: "Panel2" ]
Go to Object [ Object Name: "Panel1" ]

#Refresh Window will work the same but I think it'll refresh the whole layout. FYI: "MVpanelName" is the object name of the merge variable "<<$$panelName>>."
Refresh Object [ Object Name: "MVpanelName" ]

 

ENTIRE HOW TO

1. Create a new file. 
   1. Choose File menu > New Solution…
   2. https://www.filemaker.com/help/14/fmp/en/html/create_db.8.5.html
2. Enter Layout Mode.
   1. Choose View menu > Layout Mode or press COMMAND + L keys.
   2. https://www.filemaker.com/help/14/fmp/en/html/fmp_basics.3.7.html
3. Insert Slide Control.
   1. Choose Insert menu > Slide Control
   2. https://www.filemaker.com/help/14/fmp/en/html/create_layout.9.42.html
4. Name the each slide panel.
   1. Choose View menu > Inspector or press the COMMAND + I keys.
   2. Choose Position tab > Enter Name field. Press the Enter/Return key to commit the name to the object.
      • http://help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6147/~/naming-objects-in-filemaker-8.5-and-later
   3. Choose the next slide and repeat.    
5. Create a script with the above script.
   1. Choose Scripts menu > Script Workspace…
   2. Type or copy and paste the script in the code box above in the the WORKAROUND section of this post.
   3. https://www.filemaker.com/help/14/fmp/en/html/create_script.14.3.html
6. Choose Insert menu > Merge Variable.
   1. Name it the EXACT same as the name use in Set Variable objectName ($$panelName).
   2. https://www.filemaker.com/help/14/fmp/en/html/create_layout.9.35.html#1064499    
7. Set File Script Triggers. (not a 100% sure this is needed)
   1. Choose File menu > File Options...
   2. Choose Script Triggers tab > click checkbox OnFirstWindowOpen > click Select button > choose your script > click OK button > click OK button.
8. Set Layout Script Triggers. (not a 100% sure this is needed)
   1. Choose Layouts menu > Layout Setup...
   2. Choose Script Triggers tab > click checkbox OnLayoutEnter > click Select button > choose your script > click OK button > click OK button.
9. Set Object (slide control) Script Triggers. (this is a must)
   1. Right click on the Slide Control Panel object > select Set Script Triggers...
   2. Click checkbox OnPanelSwitch > click Select button > choose your script > click OK button > click OK button.
10. Enter Browse mode.
    1. Choose View menu > Browse or press the COMMAND + B keys.

SEEKING HELP

Please reply if you have a better solution to this terrible workaround.

 

Mahalo All!

 

Edited April 20, 2016 by tdub808