how to turn a field into a button

[rodlloyd]

I am a new user and am having trouble turning a field into a button so I can click on the field in a Table so it goes to its record in Form view. Basic stuff.

I go to my Table, change to Layout, select the field and select button from format. I select Go to Layout, I select the form I want, click OK and back to browse.

The field does not become clickable. What am I doing wrong?

 

[TStriker]

The problem is with the TABLE style view. If you were to choose the LIST style rather than TABLE style you would be able to do what you want. I don't know the exact reasons but the TABLE style views are more limiting than the FORM or LIST views for this kind of thing.

-Striker

 

[rodlloyd]

That was very simple, it works like a charm. Now I would like my headings to sort by diferent criteria. How do I make each have its own settings?

Rod

 

[TStriker]

Rod,

You basically fake it. Make the column headers into buttons and have the button perform a sort. You could put two buttons at the top of each column, one for ascending and the other for descending, or you could get fancy and set a global variable(s) to toggle between ASC and DESC.

The downside to the list view (as opposed to the TABLE view) is that the columns are not inherently sortable nor are they resizable at all. It's a trade-off, you can't have it all.

-Striker

 

[rodlloyd]

My problem is it sorts by the last sort. How do I make each be diferent

 

[TStriker]

What version of FM are you running? What OS?

-Striker

 

[rodlloyd]

File Maker Pro 6

 

[TStriker]

Ahhh yes, version 6 is WAY different than v7 or v8.

If you are new to Filemaker, the pre 7 versions had a funny way of setting things like sort order. Basically, a script takes on the characteristics of the the last sort the was performed. So if you want a script to sort on Company_Name for instance, do a manual sort on Company_Name first. Then open the script and close it again immediately. You should be prompted to use new sort criteria or retain old. I probably have the exact wording wrong but you should REPLACE. If you chose RETAIN it would not have changed the script to use the new sort order. Understand?

I know, this method of specifying the sort order is REALLY GOOFY. You will be happy to know that it was changed with version 7 and is now conventional and obvious. Nobody was happier to see this go than me.

PS. Print settings and finds are also set in the same unintuitive way in v6.

-Striker

 

[rodlloyd]

Thanks

Is there an easy way to print current record

Rod

 

[TStriker]

Rod,

Also, I don't know if you are forced to be on version 6 for some reason but you should look at upgrading to v7 at least. The differences between 6 and 7 are enormous.

If you are just starting out on Filemaker I can't emphasize enough just how superior v7 (or v8 really) is to v6. To me it's night and day.

-Striker

 

[rodlloyd]

I just ordered version 8. thanks for the advice