Functions Reference

136 FileMaker Functions Reference
Self
Format
Self
Parameters
None
Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp
Description
Returns the content of the object in which the calculation is defined, otherwise returns
empty. The Self function provides a way for a calculation to reference the object with
which it is associated without having to explicitly reference the object.
Use the Self function to create a single calculation formula that can be applied to different
objects. The Self function is helpful for conditional formatting calculations and tooltip
calculations because it returns the content of the layout object when that object has a
value. You can also use the Self function in field definition calculations (including auto-
enter and validation calculations) to return the value of the corresponding field. In all other
situations, the Self function returns an empty string.
Example
self > 10 returns 1 (true) when applied to a layout field object whose value is greater
than 10.