Underestimated tips for FileMaker
FileMaker, Claris' versatile and user-friendly low-code platform, offers a wealth of features to help both novice and experienced developers create and manage customized database solutions.
However, in addition to the obvious features, there are numerous lesser-known tips and tricks that can significantly increase the efficiency of development and usage. In this report, we highlight some of these often overlooked but valuable tips to help you realize the full potential of FileMaker.
Table of contents
- Underestimated tips for FileMaker
- 1. use the power of layout duplication
- FileMaker-based ERP software on four platforms.
- 3. simplify formula calculations with Let (SetVar)
- 4. use and manage indices effectively
- 5. targeted use of user-defined menus
- 7. using the WebViewer object creatively
- 8. fast debugging with the data view and the script debugger
- 10. anchor buoy model for layouts
- 11. automatic data check via calculation fields
- 12. use "Search" and "Replace" effectively
1. use the power of layout duplication
If you create complex layouts in FileMaker that differ only in details, you can save a lot of time by duplicating existing layouts instead of creating them from scratch. Duplicating layouts immediately gives you a complete image of the existing structure, which you can then customize. This is particularly helpful if you want to create variants for different user roles or device types (e.g. desktop and mobile).
If, when duplicating layouts, you also use the fmCheckMate from MrWatson is used, unimagined possibilities for quick procedures arise. With this tool, entire layouts can be copied, completely adapted to a different table origin and pasted again in one go. This makes the adjustment of individual layout objects a thing of the past.
FileMaker-based ERP software
on four platforms.
More information
2. modularize and reuse scripts
It's good practice to modularize scripts in FileMaker and create reusable components. This means that you write small, specialized scripts that each perform a specific task, such as checking data or navigating between layouts. These can then be called by other scripts, making management and debugging easier. For example, a script for navigation could always use the same logic for layout navigation by calling a separate "Switch to layout" script.
3. simplify formula calculations with Let (SetVar)
The Let function (SetVar) in FileMaker is often underestimated, but offers enormous potential for simplifying calculations and improving readability. Instead of performing complicated calculations in a single formula, you can use Let to define variables and calculate them step by step. This not only makes the formula easier to read, but also easier to debug. It also improves the performance of complex calculations, as FileMaker only calculates variables once and then reuses them.
Example:
SetVar ( [ variable1 = field1 * 2; variable2 = field2 + 5 ]; variable1 + variable2 )
4. use and manage indices effectively
Indexes speed up the search and performance of database queries considerably, especially in large data sets. However, you should make sure that indexes are set sensibly in order to maintain a balance between speed and memory consumption. You can manage indexes manually in FileMaker using the field options. One tip is to disable indexes for fields that are rarely searched to reduce memory requirements. This can increase the overall performance of your solution, especially for large tables.
5. targeted use of user-defined menus
Custom menus are a powerful tool to improve the user experience and increase control over the interaction with your solution. You can remove certain functions from the standard menus, customize menus for specific user roles or store special scripts behind menu commands. This provides a way to optimize the user experience and ensure that only the functions that are really needed are available.
6. tooltips as user guidance
Tooltips are an often overlooked part of the user interface, but they are a great way to assist users without cluttering the interface. They can display important information or explanations when the user moves the mouse over a particular element. This is particularly useful for more complex forms or for fields that require additional explanation. Tooltips are easy to set up and can be inserted via the inspector function under "Tooltip".
7. using the WebViewer object creatively
The WebViewer in FileMaker offers numerous possibilities to go beyond the standard. It can not only display web pages, but can also be used for complex tasks such as diagrams, dashboards or interactive content. You can integrate HTML, CSS and JavaScript directly into FileMaker to display customized web content. For example, you could use the WebViewer to display Google Maps for address display or interactive diagrams from external sources.
8. fast debugging with the data view and the script debugger
The combination of Data View and Script Debugger in FileMaker Pro Advanced is a powerful troubleshooting tool. With the Data View, you can monitor the value of variables and fields in real time as you go through your script step-by-step in the Script Debugger. This allows you to pinpoint errors by observing the state of the database at each step of the script. This speeds up development considerably and reduces the likelihood of errors in the final solution.
9. working efficiently with "Perform Script on Server"
The "Perform Script on Server" (PSOS) function in FileMaker allows computationally intensive scripts to be executed on the server instead of on the local client. This reduces the load on the user device and improves execution time, especially for large amounts of data. PSOS is particularly useful for large data imports, complex calculations or database queries that take a lot of time. However, make sure that the script can be executed on the server side by not requiring any user interactions or client-dependent functions.
10. anchor buoy model for layouts
An efficient and proven principle for designing layouts in FileMaker is the so-called anchor-buoy model. The layout is organized in such a way that each table connects to only one anchor (central starting point) and several buoys (dependent tables and relationships). This helps to maintain clarity in relationships and queries and to optimize the performance of the solution. Strict adherence to this model also facilitates subsequent debugging and further development of the solution.
11. automatic data check via calculation fields
Instead of creating complex scripts for data validation, you can also use calculation fields to automatically enforce rules. For example, you can create calculation fields that ensure that phone numbers have a certain format or that email addresses are valid. These calculations are then applied in real time, which improves data integrity and reduces the risk of errors.
12. use "Search" and "Replace" effectively
FileMaker offers a powerful "Find and Replace" function that is particularly helpful when mass editing records. This feature can be used to fix errors in large datasets or perform updates across many records at once. A clever tip here is to create a "save as" copy of the database beforehand to ensure that no unintentional changes are permanently lost.
