Technical Brief

FileMaker Go 1.2.1 Technical Brief
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Likewise, interfaces primarily aimed at iPad and iPhone users may be completely inappropriate for users of
FileMaker Pro on the desktop. One of the core strengths of the FileMaker platform is its ubiquity and compatibility;
one layout can serve the needs of Mac OS users, Windows users, and iPhone/iPad users. Using pinch-zoom and
swipe scrolling, you can create a common ground for your users without alienating desktop users by exclusive use
of iOS-like layouts.
Finally, we should emphasize that for casual or occasional use, existing interfaces may work just fine. In the same
way that most people use their iPhones to successfully browse desktop-sized web sites, they can use FileMaker Go
to move around a FileMaker Pro interface. Device-specific-interfaces could be easier to use and improve mobile
productivity, but you should weigh the benefits of separate touch-specific or size-specific screens versus the effort
required to create and maintain them.
Object Autosizing & Portrait/Landscape Rotations
If you are not already making heavy use of the automatic sizing of layout objects in FileMaker, available via the
Anchor settings on the Position tab of the Inspector, developing for FileMaker Go should make it a necessity.
Users can rotate their devices from landscape to portrait at any time, and FileMaker Go does an excellent job of
redrawing the current layout accordingly. Keep in mind that graceful resizing of layouts depends on your minimum
dimensions being the smallest common denominator.
Screen Dimensions
For reference purposes, these are the screen dimensions for FileMaker Go in various states:
Remember: List View consumes an additional 3px of width for the selection indicator on the left. This difference is
not reported by Get(WindowContentWidth) and it is not taken into consideration in this matrix:
Portrait Landscape
Toolbar No Toolbar Toolbar No Toolbar
iPad 768W x 929H 768W x 973H 1024W x 673H 1024W x 717H
iPhone 320W x 385H 320W x 429H 480W x 255H 480W x 289H
In order to test for whether a user has their device in landscape or portrait mode, and to determine how much
screen real estate you have available, use Get(WindowContentWidth) and Get(WindowContentHeight). Note that
regardless of your zoom level, the values above are what FileMaker Go will report.
Window Management
FileMaker Go behaves similarly to FileMaker Pro on the Windows operating system in maximized mode. Only one
window displays at a time in FileMaker Go. Mobile users cannot position two windows on their display next to each
other and click between them. Windows are managed in a separate interface that mimics the way Safari works on
the iPhone and iPad.
There is no benefit to hiding a window on FileMaker Go; a hidden window behaves the same as a non-hidden
window. Floating (smaller) pop-up windows or pseudo-modal dialogs take over the whole screen. Off-screen
processing windows are not drawn off screen; they are fully visible while they have focus. If you have a script that
relies on an off-screen window, your users will see FileMaker Go flip to that window where it will remain on screen
until your script switches focus back to the original window. For some developers this may significantly impact
their scripting habits.