Functions Reference

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ILEMAKER FUNCTIONS REFERENCE 369
Column
When a layout is viewed in Table View, a column corresponds to a field.
Combo box
A type of list you can set up in Layout mode. In the Data tab of the Inspector, select Include
arrow to show and hide list. The list will open only when users click the arrow, not when they
enter the field.
Commit
To save changes to a file. Certain actions such as navigating between records, finding, and
sorting do not change the file’s modification date. Other actions such as changing data in a
record or changing a layout do change the file’s modification date.
Consistency check
A consistency check examines a file that may have been damaged due to, for example, an
unexpected quit. FileMaker
Pro reads every file block and verifies that the internal structure of
the block is valid and the block is properly linked to other blocks in the file. (A consistency check
does not read all the data within each file block or check the schema or higher-level structures in
the file; these tasks are performed by file recovery.)
Constant
In a formula, an unchanging value. For example, a constant can be a field name, a text literal
("Total:"), or a number. The value of the constant doesn't change from record to record as the
formula is evaluated.
Container data type
Pictures, movies, and documents such as Microsoft Word files and PDF files can be inserted in
a container field. Data in container fields can be embedded in the field, stored by file reference,
or stored externally.
Context
The table occurrence from which calculations and scripts are begun, and from which a
relationship is evaluated in the relationships graph.
Convert
Opening a data file from another application, which creates a new FileMaker Pro file containing
the data.
Also refers to opening a file created with a previous version of FileMaker Pro.
Custom function
A function that is not one of the default FileMaker Pro functions. In FileMaker Pro Advanced,
you can create custom functions that can be reused anywhere in the file.
Custom menu
A menu that is not one of the default FileMaker Pro menus. In FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can
create custom menus, menu items, and menu sets.
D
Data Entry Only privilege set
One of the three predefined privilege sets that appear in every file. The Data Entry Only
privilege set allows read/write access to the records in a file, but not design access (for
example, the ability to create layouts and value lists).