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What is a custom function in FileMaker?
Under a Custom Function is understood in FileMaker a custom function, which is also called "own function" in the German FileMaker version. Custom Functions can be used to extend a FileMaker database with any number of additional custom functions. A custom function is called in the formula editor in exactly the same way as any other FileMaker function. Custom Functions can only be created and edited in FileMaker Pro Advanced; calling an existing Custom Function is also possible with FileMaker Pro.
Custom Functions are always valid for the database file in which they were created. In a solution with several FileMaker files, the custom function must be created separately in each file if it is also to be used in other files.
Creating a new custom function
An installed version of FileMaker Pro Advanced is required to create or edit a custom function. The area for creating and editing custom functions is located in FileMaker Pro Advanced under the menu item [File > Manage > Own functions].
To edit an existing custom function, simply click on the function and click on the [Edit] or double-click on the desired function. To create a new custom function, the dialog contains the button [New]. In both cases, the editing window for your own functions opens:
In the field [Function name] is the name under which the custom function can be called in FileMaker. Via the field [Function parameters] any number of parameters can be defined for the function, which can be used as a basis for calculation in the custom function.
The example shown above contains a custom function to display a Google Maps map with a function in a web browser. The function contains the parameters [Address; City; State; Zip; Zoom]which can be used to transfer the address and the desired zoom level for displaying the map to the function.
This function and all other custom functions can now be called and used in any function within the entire FileMaker file.
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