Using the Data Viewer (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
You can use the Data Viewer to monitor expressions like field values, local and global variables, and calculation formulas. You can monitor expressions while running scripts or while testing them in the Script Debugger. You can also monitor field values and variables in the database file.
The Current tab shows the fields and variables that are in the currently running script, fields referenced in calculations used in the script, and global variables. Global variables are shown even if no scripts are running. The Watch tab monitors expressions that you select until you remove them from the list.
To monitor fields, variables, and calculations:
1.
Choose Tools menu > Data Viewer, or click Open/Close Data Viewer button in the Script Debugger window.
2.
In the Current tab, double-click a value to display a dialog box where you can:
 •
View, edit, and copy local or global variables.
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View (but not edit) field values.
3.
To sort expressions, click a column heading. Expressions sort independently in this order: fields, global variables, local variables.
4.
To add an expression to the Watch tab, click Add to Watch.
The expression is copied to the Watch tab, and the Watch tab opens.
5.
To view restricted-access expressions, click Open/Close Data Viewer button, then log into an account that has full access privileges.
Note  If you logged in to view restricted-access scripts in the Script Debugger, your access privileges also apply to the Data Viewer. If you logged in from the Data Viewer, your access privileges also apply to the Script Debugger. In either case, your editing privileges last until you close the Script Debugger. For more information, see Debugging scripts (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
6.
Click the Watch tab, and choose one of the following:
 
To
Do this
Add an expression
Click Add button.
Edit an expression
Select an expression, then click Edit button or double-click the expression.
Duplicate an expression
Select one or more expressions, then click Duplicate button.
Delete an expression
Select one or more expressions, then click Delete button.
You can change the order of expressions in the Watch tab by dragging the arrowOpen/Close Data Viewer buttonnext to the expression up or down.
7.
To add or edit an expression, in the Edit Expression dialog box, select the database file containing the expression, then build or edit the expression you want to monitor.
For more information, see Edit Expression dialog box.
8.
Click Evaluate Now to display the results of an expression, or click Monitor to add the expression to the Data Viewer.
9.
In the Watch tab, click Refresh Values to refresh the calculations in the list.
Notes
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To monitor fields, variables, and calculations of a currently executing script, add them to the Watch tab before running the script in the Script Debugger.
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Expression values in the Data Viewer automatically refresh when you use the Script Debugger.
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Expressions remain in the Watch tab until you remove them.
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You can add local and global variables to the Data Viewer. Local variables begin with $ and global variables begin with $$. For more information, see Using variables.
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Click Refresh Values to update the values for calculations that are visible in the list. Values update as you scroll through the list.
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In the Current tab:
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You can see global and local variables that are declared outside of scripts only if you have full access privileges to the file.
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If you double-click an expression, the Current Value dialog box opens to show the expression’s entire value, which you can copy. You can modify the values of variables, but not field values. Close the dialog box to commit the modified values.
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Repeating fields are listed only if they contain values, like this: <fieldname>[<value>]. The first repetition is shown without brackets. If the repetitions are calculated, the values are not shown until the script step is reached in which the calculation is solved.
FileMaker Pro Advanced may not be available in all of the shipping languages of FileMaker Pro.
Related topics 
Working with formulas and functions
Defining calculation fields
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