zakmol
asked on
FileMaker Automation?
I want to create an application to Automate FileMaker, what I mean is to be able to do the following in FileMaker:
1) create a database.
2) create forms/views for that database.
what I mean by Automation is: by using a FileMaker library (or something like that) to be able to do the things that I can do manually in FileMaker.
1) create a database.
2) create forms/views for that database.
what I mean by Automation is: by using a FileMaker library (or something like that) to be able to do the things that I can do manually in FileMaker.
weed
From what i recall FileMaker is heavily applescriptable. You simply need to write an applescript to do it. You write scripts through the ScriptEditor. More detailed information (there are whole books written about applescript) can be found at http://www.apple.com/applescript/ ....There is also some information on using applescript with filemaker at http://www.filemaker.com/support/osscriptlang.html
ASKER
I checked the pages that you mentioned. and they allow me to do some action from FileMaker Pro. But what I want is the other way around, I want to create a database in FileMaker Pro. this might be from an application.
Applescript is an incredibly powerful systemwide tool. Applescripts do not have to be run within FileMaker. For example an applescript could do this:
*Double click on applescript application*
(begin applescript, this is just a demo not an actual script)
Tell application "finder"
launch application "filemaker"
create new database
enter <information>
<whatever else you want filemaker to do>
Tell application "filemaker" quit
tell application "finder"
launch application "FTP tool"
upload <filemaker database> to <URL>
(end applescript)
You can use applescript to tie together many many applications throughout your system. An applescript could orchestrate the transaction of information from and between filemaker and another application.
*Double click on applescript application*
(begin applescript, this is just a demo not an actual script)
Tell application "finder"
launch application "filemaker"
create new database
enter <information>
<whatever else you want filemaker to do>
Tell application "filemaker" quit
tell application "finder"
launch application "FTP tool"
upload <filemaker database> to <URL>
(end applescript)
You can use applescript to tie together many many applications throughout your system. An applescript could orchestrate the transaction of information from and between filemaker and another application.
ASKER
Adjusted points from 100 to 125
ASKER
actually I am new to Mac world.
but if FileMaker does not provide the out world of how to be used, no can use it. eveny the operating system.
I can realize that AppleScript is very powerful, but I need a sample -for example- of how to create a DB of certain fields.
t so I can start with that sample.
but if FileMaker does not provide the out world of how to be used, no can use it. eveny the operating system.
I can realize that AppleScript is very powerful, but I need a sample -for example- of how to create a DB of certain fields.
t so I can start with that sample.
Like i mentioned, there are entire books written about applescript. Its not something i can just plop down a working example of without 1) owning a copy of filemaker 2) spending time with you to decide what exactly you need to do in Filemaker. I cant do all the work for you here. You should look into getting an applescript book which will give you the basics to creating an applescript. There is even a free applescript primer at http://www.maccentral.com/columns/briggs.shtml which is rather user friendly.
ASKER
Adjusted points from 125 to 200
ASKER
Weed,
you are totally correct, but per my understanding it is more related to FileMakerPro that to AppleScript, and actually I am asking you to do all of the work, and actually I am doing my ows research on that. and becasue I need this kind of info, I think you/other gurus can help me [more than one thread]. and I will share withyou what I got from my research.
there are some kind capability of scipting in fileMaker that allows you to do many things
- add a record
- select a certain view to display dat
but there is no way -that I know- to create a database from outside FileMaker.
alo=so is it possible to create a certain form from outside FileMaker.
Is there a library that FileMaker offer to programatically automate Filemaker actions.
if you are intrested to join, you can download it from (trial version)
http://www.filemaker.com/downloads/index.html
you are totally correct, but per my understanding it is more related to FileMakerPro that to AppleScript, and actually I am asking you to do all of the work, and actually I am doing my ows research on that. and becasue I need this kind of info, I think you/other gurus can help me [more than one thread]. and I will share withyou what I got from my research.
there are some kind capability of scipting in fileMaker that allows you to do many things
- add a record
- select a certain view to display dat
but there is no way -that I know- to create a database from outside FileMaker.
alo=so is it possible to create a certain form from outside FileMaker.
Is there a library that FileMaker offer to programatically automate Filemaker actions.
if you are intrested to join, you can download it from (trial version)
http://www.filemaker.com/downloads/index.html
ASKER
sorry,
the statment is
'I am not asking you to do the whole work, and that I am doing my own...'
the statment is
'I am not asking you to do the whole work, and that I am doing my own...'
I dont believe there are any tools to create FM databases without filemaker at least being open. You can certainly automate the process with AppleScript though. FileMaker does have its own powerful scripting as well which you can combine with applescript.
ASKER
Adjusted points from 200 to 250
ASKER
Adjusted points from 250 to 300
ASKER
Adjusted points from 300 to 350
I think youre going to have to face the music on this one. Theres nothing other than filemaker that will create a filemaker DB without FM at least being open. Seeing as how FileMaker and Applescript are almost infinite in power, it wont be too hard to create an applescript to do what you need.
Can you be more specific about the types of data and applications you'll be using in conjunction with this automation? Is it across the 'Net? Across your LAN? On a local machine?
Those guys are right: Applescript can do anything. FileMaker's very 'script savvy.
Check FileMaker.com's page of 3rd party developmers or even clickware.com's for a possible 'library' system thats been created...
Those guys are right: Applescript can do anything. FileMaker's very 'script savvy.
Check FileMaker.com's page of 3rd party developmers or even clickware.com's for a possible 'library' system thats been created...
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You could perhaps make a script in Quickkeys.