Check out options for FileMaker JavaScript Integration
The just released FileMaker version 19 brings some welcome additions to use JavaScript with web viewer. You can now use a script step Perform JavaScript in Web Viewer to run JavaScript within the web viewer on the current layout.
In MBS FileMaker Plugin, we have our own WebView.RunJavaScript function since version 1.3 from July 2007. That function has been upgraded as WebView.Evaluate end of last year for version 10.0 of our plugin to provide results back on MacOS, Windows and iOS.
The built-in functionality has an advantage the plugin can't provide, which is is having it work in FileMaker Go or Web Direct. But you first need to upgrade everything to FileMaker version 19.
As usual we expect that the majority of the FileMaker developers will be happy with the built-in functionality, but if you need more, our plugin can provide additional features. Here is a table to compare features between MBS FileMaker Plugin and FileMaker's built-in functions.
| Feature | Platform | FileMaker 19 | MBS FileMaker Plugin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required FileMaker version | FileMaker 19 and newer | FileMaker 19, 18, 17 and older | |
| Run JavaScript in web viewer | FileMaker MacOS | Yes | Yes |
| FileMaker Windows | Yes | Yes | |
| iOS with FileMaker Go | Yes | No plugin on FileMaker Go | |
| iOS with SDK | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Direct | Yes | No, plugin has no access to browser with Web Direct | |
| Run JavaScript without Web Viewer | FileMaker MacOS | No | Yes, see JavaScript or JavaScriptMac functions |
| FileMaker Windows | No | Yes, see JavaScript Functions | |
| iOS with FileMaker Go | No | No plugin on FileMaker Go | |
| iOS with SDK | No | Yes, see JavaScript or JavaScriptMac functions | |
| Web Direct | No | Yes, see JavaScript Functions | |
| Server Scripting | No | Yes, see JavaScript Functions | |
| Returns result from JS directly | FileMaker MacOS | No | Yes, with WebView.Evaluate, JavaScriptMac or JavaScript functions |
| FileMaker Windows | No | Yes, with WebView.Evaluate or JavaScript functions | |
| iOS with FileMaker Go | No | No plugin on FileMaker Go | |
| iOS with SDK | No | Yes, with WebView.Evaluate, JavaScriptMac or JavaScript functions | |
| Web Direct | No | No, plugin has no access to browser with Web Direct | |
| Server Scripting | No | Yes, see JavaScript Functions | |
| Trigger script via FMP URL | Yes | Yes | |
| Trigger script from JavaScript | FileMaker MacOS | Yes | Yes, via WebView.AddScriptMessageHandler |
| FileMaker Windows | Yes | No, WebView.InstallCallback broke with newer IE versions. ServerSocket functions may work. | |
| iOS with FileMaker Go | Yes | No plugin on FileMaker Go | |
| iOS with SDK | Yes | Yes, via WebView.AddScriptMessageHandler | |
| Web Direct | Yes | No | |
| Pass file name for script: | No, always current file. | Yes | |
| Available via Script Step | Yes | Yes | |
| Available as Function | No | Yes | |
| Available for Custom Functions | No | Yes | |
| Data Types for parameter or return value | Text only | Text, Boolean, Number or JSON. | |
| Set Webviewer to be silent | No | Yes, for Windows, see WebView.SetSilent | |
| Run JavaScript synchronously | No | Yes | |
| Run JavaScript asynchronously | Yes | Yes, for MacOS & iOS via option for WebView.RunJavaScript function | |
| Works in runtimes | No | Yes | |
Let us know if you have a correction or addition for the table above.
Please don't hesitate to contact us with your questions.