Developer’s Guide

2-12 Developer’s Guide
Important Selecting this option permanently removes access to these
menu commands for all database files in the solution, whether
they’re opened in a runtime application or in FileMaker Pro. This
will help protect your files from password hackers. Structural
elements of the files cannot be modified by anyone, including
FileMaker, Inc. employees. The only way to modify field definitions,
relationships, scripts, or access privileges is by returning to the
original file before it was customized by the Developer Tool.
Consider the long-term needs of your users when defining access
privileges. Communicate their access privileges to them clearly in
the About layout and follow the rules specified by FileMaker, Inc.
See “Adding a custom script to an About menu command” on
page 2-12 and “Your responsibilities as a developer” on page 3-15
for information.
Steps for preventing database modification
To create a database solution that cannot be redesigned or modified,
do the following:
1. Close all of your database files that you are going to customize.
2. Start the FileMaker Developer Tool application and click Next.
3. Select Permanently prevent modification of database structure, select
other options as desired, and click Next.
4. Specify the database files that you want to customize, rename
them if desired, and click Next to go through the rest of the screens
depending on what other options you selected.
5. Specify the location for the solution files, rename the folder if
desired, and click Finish.
The Developer Tool creates a duplicate copy of the database files
with design access removed and places them in a new solution
folder.
Customizing the About, Help, and
Scripts menus
You can customize the menu bar in your database solution to display
a custom script as a menu command in the Help menu or Apple (4)
menu (Mac OS), or to display a custom name for the Scripts menu.
The custom settings are stored in the primary file of your solution.
For information about designing the primary file for your solution,
see chapter 3, “Preparing files for a custom solution.”
Adding a custom script to an About menu command
Use the FileMaker Developer Tool to add a custom script to the
About menu command in FileMaker Pro or your runtime application
that goes to an About layout for your solution. When the Developer
Tool processes your database files, it creates a menu command
named “About <your solution>” and places it in the Help menu
(Windows) or Apple (4) menu (Mac OS).
Custom About command in
FileMaker Pro (Windows)
Custom About command in a
runtime application (Windows)
Custom About command in
FileMaker Pro (Mac OS)
Custom About command in a
runtime application (Mac OS)