Help

Customizing files with FileMaker Pro Advanced
F
ILEMAKER PRO HELP 569
About custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
The Custom Functions utility lets you create custom functions that can be reused anywhere in the
database file in which they are created. You can copy and paste custom functions between
FileMaker
Pro files or you can import custom functions from other FileMaker Pro files. Once
formulas are written for the function, they do not have to be rewritten to be applied to other fields or
used in other scripts.
You can maintain and edit custom functions and the formulas they contain in one central location.
Any change made to a custom function will be copied to all instances where that custom function
has been used.
Custom functions can be used:
• anywhere in a file
• by any user or only by users with full access privileges
• across multiple platforms
• to replace third-party plug-ins for some purposes
Custom functions will run in both FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro Advanced. Newly defined
functions appear under their own category in the functions list of the Specify Calculation and Edit
Custom Function dialog boxes. If you do not wish to reveal your custom functions, you can disable
their display in these dialog boxes.
Using custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
To create a custom function:
1. In FileMaker Pro Advanced, choose File menu > Manage > Custom Functions.
2. In the Manage Custom Functions dialog box, click New.
3. In the Edit Custom Function dialog box, for Function Name, type a name for the new
function.
Custom function names must be unique and cannot exceed 100 characters.
4. Build a formula. (For more information, see Working with formulas and functions.)
5. If the formula requires parameters, for Function Parameters, type the parameter name and
click Plus
. You can edit or delete a parameter name by selecting it in the list and clicking
Edit or Delete .
6. Click where you want an item to appear in the formula box, then perform one of the
following actions.
To add a Do this
Reference to a parameter In the parameters list, double-click a parameter name.
Mathematical or text operator In the keypad, click an operator.
Comparison or logical operator For Operators, choose an operator from the list.
Constant value Type the value.
Function In the functions list, double-click a function. In the formula box,
replace the placeholder parameter with a value or expression.