Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Web Viewer Objects
Imagine you want to view a map of someone's address in your People database. Getting a
map isn't a problem; they're readily available on the Web. Google Maps (
ht-
tp://maps.google.com/
) and MapQuest (
www.mapquest.com/
) both give you free maps. Still,
it's a lot of work to copy address information, change programs, find the right page and then
paste the address into your web browser for each record. Maybe you want to show the map
right on the layout, instantly available at a glance. You could draw your own maps and store
them in a container field, or even take screenshots right off of Google and then paste them in.
But that's an awful lot of work, too.
Instead, simply ask FileMaker to go get the maps from the Internet for you. Using a
FileMaker web viewer, you can get FileMaker to automatically and instantly fetch almost
anything available on the Web and display it directly on the layout. FileMaker even takes
care of keeping things up-to-date: Every time you visit a record on the layout, it checks to
see if newer information is available and automatically fetches the most up-to-date version,
just like your web browser.
You create web viewers with the web viewer tool. This globe-decorated tool button lives on
the Status toolbar near the field tool. It works like most FileMaker tools: First, in the Status
toolbar, click the globe button and then, on the layout, drag a rectangle to tell FileMaker
where to put the web viewer and how big to make it.
Putting a Web Viewer on a Layout
Your People database could use a map on the People Detail layout. Here's how to put one
there.
1.
Switch to the People Detail layout and then (if necessary) switch to Layout mode
.
Since a map can be large, it makes sense to put it on the Detail layout, where you have
some room to work with.
2.
Make the Body part much taller by dragging its label downward
.
The idea is to make room for the web viewer on this otherwise crowded layout.
3.
In the Status toolbar, select the Web Viewer tool and then draw a rectangle on
the page roughly the same width as the Notes field and a few inches tall
.
As usual, you're free to tweak the exact size and position of the web viewer anytime
you want, so you don't have to be perfect here. As soon as you let go of the mouse
button, FileMaker shows you the Web Viewer Setup dialog box (
Figure 15-9
).
4.
In the “Choose a Website” list, select Google Maps (US)
.
