This is the eBook version of the printed book. This Short Cut presents a sampling of custom functions that we’ve found useful, or that serve as good examples of functions in our day-to-day practice. The functions are broken into groups according to their purpose, much as FileMaker’s calculation functions are. Please note that these functions are meant as examples—although the examples were not tested exhaustively, nor is this collection meant to be comprehensive. We hope you’ll find some of them helpful directly, or that reading and analyzing others might provide a springboard for your own ideas. Table of Contents Number Calculations Date Calculations Text and Data Conversions Email Tools List Handlers Developer Tools System Constants Toolkit for Complex Data Structures Data API Within FileMaker Data Tree Using XML as a Data Structure Path-Based Selections The Functions

This is the eBook version of the printed book. The calculation dialog in FileMaker serves as a fundamental element in nearly all development activities. The calculation dialog allows developers easy access to the data fields in their solutions and to a complete function list. This Short Cut presents a complete description of each calculation function, lists examples, and in many cases offers additional comments on usage. This Short Cut is Chapter 6 from the book FileMaker 8 Functions and Scripts Desk Reference by Scott Love, Steve Lane, and Bob Bowers (0-7897-3511-3). As such, it contains references pointing you to additional information not found in this Short Cut, but in a companion book, Special Edition Using FileMaker 8. Apart from this reference, the Short Cut is fully self-contained and is an excellent sampling of calculation functions.

FileMaker 8 Functions and Scripts Desk Reference is the only book on the market expressly focused on describing each calculation formula and how and when to use each one. With this book's real-world, concrete examples of how to use each function, you will go far beyond FileMaker 8's help system. Just as a dictionary helps supplement one's memory, this book is an invaluable companion to users working to develop solutions to their every day software problems.

Used by millions worldwide, FileMaker Pro is an award-winning database program for managing people, projects, images, assets, and other information. It's easy to use and totally customizable--so long as you know what you're doing. But FileMaker Pro doesn't come with a printed manual, so FileMaker Pro: The Missing Manual is the authoritative, jargon-free book that should have been in the box. FileMaker Pro: The Missing Manual approaches FileMaker the way FileMaker approaches you: it's user-friendly and seemingly straightforward enough, but it offers plenty of substance worthy of deeper exploration. Packed with practical information as well as countless expert tips and invaluable guidance, it's an in-depth guide to designing and building useful databases with the powerful and pliable FileMaker Pro. Covering FileMaker for both Windows and Macintosh, FileMaker Pro: The Missing Manual is ideal for small business users, home users, school teachers, developers--anyone who wants to organize information efficiently and effectively. Whether you want to run a business, publish a shopping cart on the Web, plan a wedding, manage a student information system at your school, or program databases for clients, this book delivers. Author Geoff Coffey has many years of experience using FileMaker Pro (he was, in fact, an early beta tester for the product). Author Susan Prosser is a FileMaker Certified Developer who trains other developers. Together, Coffey and Prosser show you how to: Get FileMaker up and running quickly and smoothly Import and organize information with ease Design relational databases that are simple to use, yet powerful Take advantage of FileMaker Pro calculation capabilities Automate processes with scripting Customize FileMaker Pro to your needs and preferences Share information with other people (coworkers, clients, and customers) and other programs Understand and select the best security options What could easily come across as dry and intimidating--things like relational theory, calculations, and scripting--are presented in a way that is interesting and intuitive to mainstream users. In no time, you'll be working more productively and efficiently using FileMaker Pro.

Track information crucial to your business with the new FileMaker Pro 8 database software and the latest edition of this comprehensive guide. From capturing customer data, automating employee records, or linking databases, to tracking your own investments or home inventory, find out how to set up the FileMaker Pro database you need to classify important information and improve productivity. This valuable reference provides clear step-by-step explanations and examples for beginners as well as experienced database users, for both Windows and Macintosh. Inside, you'll find complete coverage of FileMaker Pro 8 * Get the "Big Picture" on FileMaker Pro for business and home * Understand basic operations for both Windows(r) and Macintosh(r) platforms * Define fields, set up scripts, and create new databases * Master standard forms, columnar lists, and other layouts * Create, enter, edit, and sort records * Generate summary statistics across records * Learn how to use ScriptMaker to automate FileMaker * Exchange data between programs such as Microsoft(r) Excel(r) * Publish or share data on the Web or company intranet * Import and export XML Bonus CD-ROM includes * Trial version of FileMaker Pro 8 for Windows and Mac * Templates * Plug-in tools

You don’t need a technical background to build powerful databases with FileMaker Pro 14. This crystal-clear, objective guide shows you how to create a database that lets you do almost anything with your data so you can quickly achieve your goals. Whether you’re creating catalogs, managing inventory and billing, or planning a wedding, you’ll learn how to customize your database to run on a PC, Mac, web browser, or iOS device. The important stuff you need to know: Dive into relational data. Solve problems quickly by connecting and combining data from different tables. Create professional documents. Publish reports, charts, invoices, catalogs, and other documents with ease. Access data anywhere. Use FileMaker Go on your iPad or iPhone—or share data on the Web. Harness processing power. Use new calculation and scripting tools to crunch numbers, search text, and automate tasks. Run your database on a secure server. Learn the high-level features of FileMaker Pro Advanced. Keep your data safe. Set privileges and allow data sharing with FileMaker’s streamlined security features.

The FileMaker Pro 10 desktop database lets you do almost anything with the information you give it -- especially with this book as your guide. Clear, thorough, and accessible, FileMaker Pro 10: The Missing Manual helps you get in, build your database, and get the results you need, whether you're running a business, pursuing a hobby, or planning your retirement. It's the ideal guide for non-technical and experienced folks alike. Each chapter in this fully updated edition covers the latest timesaving features of FileMaker Pro 10, including saved finds and a redesigned toolbar that reveals information and features more clearly than ever. You'll learn how to import information from the new Bento consumer database (Mac only), write scripts to make your database even easier to use, and send email without leaving FileMaker. With this book, you will: Get your first database running in minutes and perform basic tasks right away Catalog people, processes, and things with streamlined data entry and sorting tools Use your data to generate reports, correspondence, and other documents with ease Create, connect, and manage multiple tables and set up complex relationships that display just the data you need Crunch numbers, search text, or pin down dates and times with dozens of built-in formulas Outfit your database for the Web, and import and export data to other formats You'll also get objective advice on which features are really useful, and which aren't. To make the most of this database, you need FileMaker Pro 10: The Missing Manual -- the book that should have been in the box.