Rotating Images or PDFs in Containers with Applescript (Mac) In my previous blog post I talked about automating scanner documents into FileMaker container fields using AppleScript. This was based on a customer request. Logging in to that system recently, I noticed that it was fairly common for staff members to scan documents in upside down. […]
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Automating Webcam Photo Capture within FileMaker (Windows)
May 25, 2015 
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OK folks, here is a hack for you. The Challenge: Capturing images from a web cam into FileMaker on Windows. I was able to achieve this previously on a Mac using AppleScript, but there is no similar easy inter-application scripting language on Windows. FileMaker Go on mobile has the ability to grab photos right from […]
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Window Management in FileMaker Pro – Preventing Extra Windows from Opening
May 19, 2015 Comments Off on Window Management in FileMaker Pro – Preventing Extra Windows from Opening
My first version of the system was rejected by the customers because it kept opening extra windows, confusing the users. So I set about writing a fairly modular script that I could reuse to test if a window was already open and if so, simply select it, rather than opening another new window. This seemed to make the users much happier. I share it with you and my future self here.
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Create Folders from FileMaker Pro Using AppleScript on a Macintosh
May 14, 2015 11 Comments
Someone on one of the Facebook FileMaker Group pages recently asked for a simple method, using AppleScript of creating a folder on the Desktop. FileMaker Pro can generate a variety of file formats, including Text, PDF and Excel, and it is possible to script the names of these files. It is also possible to script […]
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FileMaker 14 – Resources
May 12, 2015 2 Comments
Well it is finally shipping. After glimpses under NDA and slips (it showed up on Amazon early), FileMaker 14 platform is now shipping. New versions of FileMaker Go, FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Pro Advanced and FileMaker Server are available for trial and download. I didn’t have time this round to do a full writeup on what […]
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The End is Near – a Minor Datacalypse is Coming
April 23, 2015 Comments Off on The End is Near – a Minor Datacalypse is Coming
I have written before about the need to stay current with FileMaker Pro, operating systems and hardware. I recently received an email from a reader who asked: Between me and a colleague we built a large database with all the bells and whistles back in the days of FM 5.5 and yes, we fell behind or […]
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Speedy Document Scanning Directly into FileMaker Pro 13
April 14, 2015 7 Comments
A Macintosh computer, FileMaker Pro 13, a Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i, Automator, Applescript, a Folder Action and FileMaker’s URL Scheme make a paperless solution for legal waivers a reality.
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Populating a Portal from a Value List
March 11, 2015 Comments Off on Populating a Portal from a Value List
Occasionally when developing in FileMaker I come across the need to be able to quickly generate a standard set of items from a Value List. In this example, using one of FileMaker’s built-in templates for Projects, I imagined a scenario where a project had a standard set of steps that needed to be generated whenever […]
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FileMaker Go running on an iPod Touch
December 1, 2014 Comments Off on FileMaker Go running on an iPod Touch
I was going to call this article “Cheap Clients”, but it’s not what you think, really… this is an article about using inexpensive iPods Touch devices and the free iOS version of FileMaker Go as ‘cheap network clients’ to access FileMaker databases on the move.
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Building an Accounts Receivables and Invoicing System in FileMaker Pro
November 24, 2014 Comments Off on Building an Accounts Receivables and Invoicing System in FileMaker Pro
Long ago, a wise old accountant named Bud, once pointed out to a much younger version of me, that most businesses have very similar accounting needs with respect to Accounts Payable, General Ledger and Payroll systems. Where they differ the most is in the Sales and Accounts Receivable (also Inventory Systems, but that is a […]
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Tools for New FileMaker Developers – How to make a million bucks…
November 10, 2014 Comments Off on Tools for New FileMaker Developers – How to make a million bucks…
FileMaker has a bit of a push on right now to get new developers into working with the FileMaker Pro platform. They recently launched a webpage on their main website to encourage new developers considering the platform. At the recent FileMaker DevCon they talked it up and encouraged developers to help enlisting others to the […]
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Applescript Notification from FileMaker
October 31, 2014 Comments Off on Applescript Notification from FileMaker
FileMaker developers (and other app developers) are always looking for better ways to communicate information to their users. System level notifications have proven to be an effective way of sending short ‘dissolving’ messages to users. These Notification messages show up in the top right corner of the users screen, make a little chime, hang around for […]
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Exporting vCards from FileMaker Pro 13
October 22, 2014 Comments Off on Exporting vCards from FileMaker Pro 13
I wanted a simple method of adding vCard export capability from my FileMaker databases to get Contact information into my Contacts application. This is my first attempt at Modular FileMaker (as defined at modularfilemaker.org) although I do generally try to make my code as portable as possible. Update 2014-10-23: I forgot to credit Donald Clark […]
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Harnessing FileMaker Pro 12/13’s Document Management Features WITHOUT FileMaker Server
October 15, 2014 Comments Off on Harnessing FileMaker Pro 12/13’s Document Management Features WITHOUT FileMaker Server
Many small businesses take advantage of FileMaker Pro’s ability to host up to 5 clients from a copy of FileMaker Pro, rather than invest in the more pricey FileMaker Server. Recently, I encountered just such a client who wanted to add some document management features to their solution and I wasn’t sure they would be […]
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Why Upgrade to FileMaker Pro 13/14?
August 11, 2014 3 Comments
Time marches on with software. Keeping up with the latest version of any software can be a delicate balance between hardware, operating system and the actual software. Upgrade too soon and your users can end up experiencing glitches, printer drivers haven’t been updated for the new operating system, old hardware won’t run the new operating […]
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