Database Reference
In-Depth Information
there. When your needs are more complex, enter a calculation that resolves to a zero when
you want the menu hidden or any non-zero value when the menu should appear. In the case
of our FileMaker Pro Copy menu, the calculation uses a
Get(SystemPlatform)
function to
determine whether the database is running on Mac or Windows. If it's a Mac, the menu is
displayed; otherwise it's suppressed.
The key to writing calculations here is remembering that the result must be Boolean. If the
calculation result is blank or the number zero, then the menu will not be displayed. If the cal-
culation result is 1, -42, chai, or
anything
else, the menu will appear onscreen.
WARNING
Never leave the “Install when” calculation blank; an empty calculation means your custom menu
won't ever display. When creating a new menu, FileMaker sets the calculation to “1” so it always
displays by default, but it won't display a warning if you clear the calculation and save the menu.
Figure 13-26. The “Install when” box determines when a menu is displayed onscreen. Keep in
mind it applies to the whole menu and can't be used to toggle its constituent menu items.
Installing Custom Menu Sets
FileMaker Pro Advanced lets you create a set of custom menus and use it as the
standard
for
a file, meaning everyone who uses your database sees it, every time. But since the people us-
ing your database may have different levels of skill (and trustworthiness), you may want
