Highlighted FileMaker Pro 13 Tool: Field Picker
About
The Field Picker tool sits atop many people’s ‘favorite new tools’ list for tools introduced in FileMaker Pro 13. Field Picker is a fan-favorite because it allows a user to easily place fields on a layout with or without labels and place fields in a row or stacked.
With Field Picker, users can add a new field (or fields) to their layout without having to enter into ‘manage database’. If users want to enter ‘manage database’, they can directly from the Field Picker toolbar.
Field Picker allows users the ability to sort fields in various ways:
- in Creation Order
- by Field Name
- by Field Type
- by Custom Order
Personally, I find Custom Order advantageous because it allows me the ability to physically reorganize the fields in the order I would like to place them on my layouts.
In the following examples, I have fields related to the current table I am working on. I will be sorting the fields in each of the ways mentioned above, then placing the first six fields in a layout to show their appearance.
Placing Fields in Creation Order
Figure 1.1: Creation Order – Stacked
Figure 1.2: Creation Order – Row
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Placing Fields in Field Name Order
Figure 1.3: Field Name Order – Stacked
Figure 1.4: Field Name Order – Row
Placing Fields in Field Type Order
Figure 1.5: Field Type Order – Stacked
Figure 1.6: Field Type Order – Row
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Placing Fields in Custom Order
Figure 1.7: Custom Order – Stacked
Figure 1.8: Custom Order – Row
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The Field Picker will allow you to manually change the positions of the fields before placement, thereby allowing you to select the fields from the picker in the order you wish them to appear. This little maneuver saves a ton of time by not having to realign your fields after placement.
Those small time saving features really add up.
Thank you, FileMaker!
Look for future posts on “Time Saving Tips”. I like to be an efficient developer and will share tips to help improve your efficiency as well.
– Bob
Bob Kelley
FileMaker 13/12 Certified Developer
The Scarpetta Group, Inc.
bob@scarpettagroup.com
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