Database Reference
In-Depth Information
can find in the Records section of the script steps list. You also find script steps for “Save
Records as Excel” and “Save Records as PDF,” with similar options.
Save Records Script Steps
To automate the creation of Excel spreadsheets, use the “Save Records as Excel” script step.
Not surprisingly, there's a “Save Records as PDF” script step as well. Each of these lets you
specify all the options the standard menu commands offer, so you can completely automate
the process.
As an added bonus, the “Save Records as PDF” script step includes one option you don't get
when you run the command manually: an “Append to existing PDF” checkbox. When you
turn this option on, if the file you're saving already exists, then FileMaker adds the new
pages to the end of the existing file. This scheme makes it possible to lump together several
reports, or data from several different layouts, into one complete PDF package for printing or
distribution.
The Import Records Script Step
This script step has three options. First, you get to specify the data source to import from.
Your choices match those in the File→Import Records menu: File, Folder, XML Data,
ODBC Data, and Bento Data. Whichever option you choose, FileMaker asks you for more
information (
which
file to import, or
which
ODBC data source to use, for instance). When
specifying a file, you get the standard path list dialog box. In other words, you can specify
several paths if you want; FileMaker imports the first one it finds. (If you don't specify a
source, your users have to do it as they run the script, in a potentially confusing series of dia-
log boxes. Since you're presumably providing a script to make things easier for people, it's
best to store source files in a safe place and have the script escort your users to them.)
Once you've specified the source, you can turn on “Specify import order” to record the im-
port field mapping, and other import options. Finally, you can turn on “Perform without dia-
log” if you want FileMaker to import the data directly, with no input from your users. If you
leave this option off, FileMaker displays the Import Field Mapping dialog box when the
script runs, so folks can make changes to any field mapping you specified.
The Export Records Script Step
The Export Records script step offers similar options. You can specify the output file and ex-
port order, and you can choose “Perform without dialog” if you don't want your users to see
the export dialog box.
