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External functions

Use external functions to access FileMaker Pro plug-ins. Plug-ins add features to FileMaker Pro. For more information, see Setting plug-in preferences.

External functions are only available if FileMaker Pro plug-ins are installed and enabled on your computer. If no FileMaker Pro plug-ins are installed, you see only the generic external function definition in the Specify Calculation dialog box:

External (nameOfFunction; parameter)

Plug-ins written for version 7.0 and later

Each plug-in defines its own functions and parameters. See the documentation that came with the plug-in for each function’s usage.

Plug-ins written for version 6.0 and earlier

These plug-ins are still supported and continue to use the External function to access the plug-in’s functions. The first parameter is the name of the plug-in function to execute and the second is a parameter that is passed to that function. See the documentation that came with the plug-in for each function’s usage.

 

This function	Does this
External	Enables access to FileMaker Pro plug-ins written for versions of FileMaker Pro prior to 7.0.

For more information, see Updating plug-ins.