Hey all,

I was wondering if there is a method to identify a field to the user without
using the field labels?
Something in the background that goes away when clicked, or, a bubble or
message on mouse over, maybe?


Thanks!

In article <DY8pi.19$l57.9 [at] newsfe02.lga>, "Latka Gravis"
<itsmewhoelse [at] fastmail.fm> wrote:

> Hey all,
>
> I was wondering if there is a method to identify a field to the user without
> using the field labels?
> Something in the background that goes away when clicked, or, a bubble or
> message on mouse over, maybe?

Not easily.

You can use a separate Calculation field which tests to see if the data
storage field is empty or not. If it is empty then the Calculation
returns the field name, otherwise it returns a copy of the data.
eg.
FieldA_label Calculation, Text result, Unstored
= If (IsEmpty(FieldA),
"Label Text for Field A",
Field A
)

You can then position this Calculation field exactly over the top of
the data field on the layout. Make sure the Calculation field is set to
NOT allow user entry, then when they click / tab on the area they will
be put into the data field (FieldA).

You would of course have to create a separate "label" Calculation field
for every field on the Layout.

BUT,
Calculation fields don't work in Find mode, so all your labels would
disappear when the user tries to use FileMaker's Find abilities. To get
around that you would have to create your own Find mode using Global
fields and a script.


Helpful Harry
Hopefully helping harassed humans happily handle handiwork hardships ;o)

"Helpful Harry" <helpful_harry [at] nom.de.plume.com> wrote in message
news:240720071822129045%helpful_harry [at] nom.de.plume.com...
> In article <DY8pi.19$l57.9 [at] newsfe02.lga>, "Latka Gravis"
> <itsmewhoelse [at] fastmail.fm> wrote:
>
>> Hey all,
>>
>> I was wondering if there is a method to identify a field to the user
>> without
>> using the field labels?
>> Something in the background that goes away when clicked, or, a bubble or
>> message on mouse over, maybe?
>
> Not easily.
>
> You can use a separate Calculation field which tests to see if the data
> storage field is empty or not. If it is empty then the Calculation
> returns the field name, otherwise it returns a copy of the data.
> eg.
> FieldA_label Calculation, Text result, Unstored
> = If (IsEmpty(FieldA),
> "Label Text for Field A",
> Field A
> )
>
> You can then position this Calculation field exactly over the top of
> the data field on the layout. Make sure the Calculation field is set to
> NOT allow user entry, then when they click / tab on the area they will
> be put into the data field (FieldA).
>
> You would of course have to create a separate "label" Calculation field
> for every field on the Layout.
>
> BUT,
> Calculation fields don't work in Find mode, so all your labels would
> disappear when the user tries to use FileMaker's Find abilities. To get
> around that you would have to create your own Find mode using Global
> fields and a script.
>
>
> Helpful Harry
> Hopefully helping harassed humans happily handle handiwork hardships ;o)


You're a gem, Harry, thank you...again.

P.S. It's almost ready. :)