Setting file options

Setting file options

You can set preferences for the current file’s default layout, opening and/or closing scripts, login information, and spelling. To set preferences for all files, see Setting preferences.

To set options for opening and closing the current file:

1.

Choose File menu > File Options, and click the Open/Close tab if it is not already selected.

Select

To

Log in using, then Account Name and Password, and type an account and password

This is the default selection. The default is Log in using selected with the Account Name and Password option set to Admin and a blank password.

Automatically log in using a specific account and password when you open the database. To temporarily bypass the default password and enter a different one, press Shift (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) while opening the file.

Note If the default account is valid but the password is invalid, you will be prompted to enter another password.

Log in using, then Guest Account

Automatically log in using a guest account

Switch to layout, then choose a layout from the list

Display the specified layout when you open the file. If you don't select this option, FileMaker Pro opens the layout you displayed when you worked in the file, or opens a layout you specify in a startup script. (See the Perform script option below.)

Note FileMaker Pro saves your current layout only if the file has been modified in a significant way, such as editing a record or modifying database schema. See When FileMaker Pro doesn’t save a file for more information.

Perform script, then choose a script from the list

Run a script each time you open a window of a database file when no other windows for the file are currently open.

Click Specify to select the script you want to use.

Note Although this is typically the first time you open a file, you can also trigger a script this way when you open a window for a hidden file previously opened via a script or relationship. For more information about the OnFirstWindowOpen script trigger, see Setting up script triggers. For information about operations that do not activate script triggers, see Changing object data without activating script triggers.

Perform script in the When Closing this File area, then choose a script from the list

Run a script each time you close the last open window of a database file.

Click Specify to select the script you want to use.

Note The script specified to run When Closing this File is performed when the last open window of the file is closed. The script will run even if the file itself remains open, for example if it is referenced by another file with open windows. The closing script will be performed each time the last open window of the specified file is closed.

For information about the OnLastWindowClose script trigger, see Setting up script triggers. If the script executed by the OnLastWindowClose script trigger returns a False value, then the file will not close.

2.

Click OK to save your changes, or click another tab to set additional file options.

To set spelling options for the current file:

1.

Choose File menu > File Options, and click the Spelling tab.

Select

To

Indicate questionable words with special underline

Mark possible misspelled words with a red dotted underline (in Browse, Find, and Layout modes).

Off

Type without receiving any cues that you might have made a spelling error.

Beep on questionable spellings

Receive an audio cue that you might have made a spelling error.

Flash menubar on questionable spellings

(Windows) Receive a visual cue that you might have made a spelling error.

2.

Click OK to save your changes, or click another tab to set additional file options.

Checking spelling as you type can be slower than using the other spelling options if a large amount of text is visible in the active field. See Checking spelling as you type for more information.

To set text handling and data entry options for the current file:

Note You must log in using the Full Access privilege set to edit items in the Text tab.

1.

Choose File menu > File Options, and click the Text tab.

2.

In the Text Handling area, select one or more of the following options:

Select

To

Use smart quotes

Use curly quotation marks and curly apostrophes. If this option is deselected or you use a font that doesn't have curly quotes, FileMaker Pro uses plain (straight) quotes and apostrophes. Changes affect new typing only; they do not affect existing data.

Use Asian language line-breaking

Control Asian language line-breaking. This option is enabled by default. If this option is disabled, standard Asian language rules concerning which characters can start or end a line of text are ignored.

Use Roman language line-breaking

Control standard Roman language line-breaking, including word wrapping. This option is enabled by default. If this option is disabled, letters and spaces are treated equally as symbols, and Roman language words are not treated as units. Instead, a word will wrap to the next line when it exceeds the width of the field or text block, which could occur in mid-word.

Overwrite input when an Asian IME is on (Windows)

Overwrite existing characters at the cursor location with new characters entered by the user when an Asian input method editor (IME) is running. This option is off by default.

3.

In the Data Entry area, select one or more of the following options:

Select

To

Always use current system settings

Use the current system settings for data entry of numbers, dates, and times. This option is on by default.

Always use file’s saved settings

Use the system settings saved with the file for display and data entry of numbers, dates, and times.

Ask whenever settings are different

Prompt the user to choose which system settings to use when entering data in a number, date, time, or timestamp field that was created using system settings that are different from the current system settings.

4.

Click OK to save your changes, or click another tab to set additional file options.

To set graphics options for the current file (Mac OS):

Note You must log in using a Full Access privilege set to edit items in the Graphics tab.

1.

Choose File menu > File Options, and click the Graphics tab.

Select

To

Auto-initiate photo import when camera is plugged in

(Mac OS)

Begin the digital camera photo import process. This option is disabled by default. If this option is enabled, FileMaker Pro will begin the photo import process when a compatible digital camera is connected. See Importing photos from a digital camera or other device (Mac OS) for more information.

2.

Click OK to save your changes, or click another tab to set additional file options.

Related topics

Creating a FileMaker Pro file

Defining automatic data entry

Defining field validation

Opening protected files

Checking spelling

Creating scripts to automate tasks

Select	To
Log in using, then Account Name and Password, and type an account and password	This is the default selection. The default is Log in using selected with the Account Name and Password option set to Admin and a blank password. Automatically log in using a specific account and password when you open the database. To temporarily bypass the default password and enter a different one, press Shift (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) while opening the file. Note If the default account is valid but the password is invalid, you will be prompted to enter another password.
Log in using, then Guest Account	Automatically log in using a guest account
Switch to layout, then choose a layout from the list	Display the specified layout when you open the file. If you don't select this option, FileMaker Pro opens the layout you displayed when you worked in the file, or opens a layout you specify in a startup script. (See the Perform script option below.) Note FileMaker Pro saves your current layout only if the file has been modified in a significant way, such as editing a record or modifying database schema. See When FileMaker Pro doesn’t save a file for more information.
Perform script, then choose a script from the list	Run a script each time you open a window of a database file when no other windows for the file are currently open. Click Specify to select the script you want to use. Note Although this is typically the first time you open a file, you can also trigger a script this way when you open a window for a hidden file previously opened via a script or relationship. For more information about the OnFirstWindowOpen script trigger, see Setting up script triggers. For information about operations that do not activate script triggers, see Changing object data without activating script triggers.
Perform script in the When Closing this File area, then choose a script from the list	Run a script each time you close the last open window of a database file. Click Specify to select the script you want to use. Note The script specified to run When Closing this File is performed when the last open window of the file is closed. The script will run even if the file itself remains open, for example if it is referenced by another file with open windows. The closing script will be performed each time the last open window of the specified file is closed. For information about the OnLastWindowClose script trigger, see Setting up script triggers. If the script executed by the OnLastWindowClose script trigger returns a False value, then the file will not close.

Select	To
Indicate questionable words with special underline	Mark possible misspelled words with a red dotted underline (in Browse, Find, and Layout modes).
Off	Type without receiving any cues that you might have made a spelling error.
Beep on questionable spellings	Receive an audio cue that you might have made a spelling error.
Flash menubar on questionable spellings	(Windows) Receive a visual cue that you might have made a spelling error.

Select	To
Use smart quotes	Use curly quotation marks and curly apostrophes. If this option is deselected or you use a font that doesn't have curly quotes, FileMaker Pro uses plain (straight) quotes and apostrophes. Changes affect new typing only; they do not affect existing data.
Use Asian language line-breaking	Control Asian language line-breaking. This option is enabled by default. If this option is disabled, standard Asian language rules concerning which characters can start or end a line of text are ignored.
Use Roman language line-breaking	Control standard Roman language line-breaking, including word wrapping. This option is enabled by default. If this option is disabled, letters and spaces are treated equally as symbols, and Roman language words are not treated as units. Instead, a word will wrap to the next line when it exceeds the width of the field or text block, which could occur in mid-word.
Overwrite input when an Asian IME is on (Windows)	Overwrite existing characters at the cursor location with new characters entered by the user when an Asian input method editor (IME) is running. This option is off by default.

Select	To
Always use current system settings	Use the current system settings for data entry of numbers, dates, and times. This option is on by default.
Always use file’s saved settings	Use the system settings saved with the file for display and data entry of numbers, dates, and times.
Ask whenever settings are different	Prompt the user to choose which system settings to use when entering data in a number, date, time, or timestamp field that was created using system settings that are different from the current system settings.

Select	To
Auto-initiate photo import when camera is plugged in (Mac OS)	Begin the digital camera photo import process. This option is disabled by default. If this option is enabled, FileMaker Pro will begin the photo import process when a compatible digital camera is connected. See Importing photos from a digital camera or other device (Mac OS) for more information.

Was this topic helpful? Send feedback.