Filemaker Pro Lesson

Script Writing:

Using Global Fields to Customize Report Layouts

This exercise requires the file Registrations3.fp7.

Global fields can also be used for report descriptors. This allows you to use a layout for multiple purposes and customize the print out to reflect the particular conditions used in the report.

1. Select File -> Define -> Database and click on the Fields tab.

2. Create a Text Field called "Report Group" then click on the Options button and select the Storage tab. Check the global storage checkbox.

3. Select View -> Layout Mode.

4. Select the "Registrant List" layout.

5. Click the Text tool and title the report simply "Participant List". Click the Field Tool and drag it over to the header of the layout and position it under the report title. Select the global field "Report Group".

6. Now select Scriptmaker. Choose the script you created called Prepare Past Participant List. Click Duplicate.

7. Now change the name to Prepare New Participant List and click Rename.

8. Click on the first action "Go to Layout"

9. Double click on the action "Set Field", select the field "Report Group" and click Specify. Type "New Participants" in the specify calculation dialog box and click OK.

10. Now click on the next Set Field action setting the past participants field to "y" and change the operator from "=" to "<>" and click OK. Leave the find and sort attributes as they are and click OK.

12. Click on the first action "Go to Layout"

13. Double click on the action "Set Field", select the field "Report Group" and click Specify. Type "Past Participants" in the specify calculation dialog box and click OK.

14. Click Perform to see the result.

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Last updated: 12/28/2004