Schedules for FileMaker

One often requested wish for our FileMaker plugin is a way to schedule script calls. So for the upcoming plugin version we got functions to scheduling. You can schedule:
  • Start a script
  • Executing some SQL.
  • Evaluating an expression.
for the schedule you can do that when
  • a wait time is over
  • a certain point in time is reached
  • a certain time of day is reached
  • the user is idle for some time
The whole system is very flexible. Each schedule you create provides an identifier which you can use late to query/modify the schedule and of course to cancel them.

The schedules to do SQL or evaluate can optionally also perform a script with the result being the script parameter. The reason is that some operations in SQL can't be done while a script is running and the database is open. But you can check the result in the script called after SQL performed.

Greetings from Canada

Now at the Conférence québécoise des développeurs FileMaker® 2015 in Montreal watching presentation about some database software ;-)


FileMaker DevCon Early Bird offer ends next week

The early bird offer ends next week, so be quick if you like to join the FileMaker Developer Conference in Las Vegas. Would be bad to decide too late and pay $500 more...

The Developer Conference is a great chance to meet over 1200 other FileMaker developers from all around the world. Not to forget that Las Vegas is a great place to visit!

Even if you are not so interested in casinos, you can take a car and drive outside the city to visit some desert like Red Rock Canyon. Or drive to Boulder and visit the Hoover Dam.

And did you know that if you sign up as a company with a group of 4 developers, the 4th ticket is free?

MBS will be present with a booth, so visit us there!


MBS FileMaker Plugin 5.1 for OS X/Windows

Nickenich, Germany - (May 19th, 2015) -- MonkeyBread Software today is pleased to announce MBS FileMaker Plugin 5.1 for Mac OS X or Windows, the latest update to their product that is easily the most powerful plugin currently available for FileMaker Pro. As the leading database management solution for Windows, Mac, and the web, the FileMaker Pro Integrated Development Environment supports a plugin architecture that can easily extend the feature set of the application. MBS FileMaker Plugin 5.1 has been updated and now includes over 3100 different functions, and the versatile plugin has gained more new functions:

We added new plugin functions for markdown processing. Markdown is a markup language with plain text formatting syntax designed to be converted to HTML. Using our plugin you can process markdown text and create HTML.

Our new Dictionary commands allows you to pack various parameter for a script call in a dictionary. You pass this dictionary to the called script and there extract the variables with just one MBS call. This preserves data types for all transferred variables like containers.

The MBS Plugin offers for some time now various functions for the clipboard. Now in this version are functions to put file paths on the clipboard and to query them. For example an user can copy files in Finder or Explorer and run a script to import those files into the database.

Our ListDialog functions got a new grouping feature. And you can fill the dialog now with a SQL statement.

The menu functions now allow you to specify font details for menu entries. You can set font, color, size, italic, bold or underline. To create menu you can now use a text definition for our quick menu function.

If you know SQL, you can use our FM.InsertRecordQuery function to easily copy records from one table to other table. An SQL query can query data from various tables and insert the result in another table. With the FM.InsertRecord function you can now add a record to a table with one function call. And the new FM.SQL functions allow you to query values from a SQL query result with native data types.

For DynaPDF we got new function to query fonts in PDF document and fonts on your local computer. For your PDF documents you can now define print settings, e.g. define that your document should be printed duplex. In addition you can edit templates and set fonts for form fields.

Finally we got new functions for environment variables, mounting network volumes, password encryption for zip archives, a timeout for socket connections and paper options for Twain scanning.

More details in the release notes. Please take the time to check our 300 example databases and check where you can use our plugin features in your solutions.

Dash help archives updated

Just updated the archives for the Dash application. Does the auto update work for you?

So here you can click to launch Dash and install our plugin help:
MBS Xojo Plugin and MBS FileMaker Plugin

You can download the archives manually on our website: FileMaker and Xojo (Real Studio).
Feedback is welcome.

MBS FileMaker Plugin, version 5.1pr9

New in this prerelease of the 5.1 plugins:
  • Added DynaPDF.EditTemplate, DynaPDF.EditTemplate2 and .
  • Add SetFunctions to limit what functions the plugin allows you to call.
  • Changed DragDrop feature to accept promised file drops. This allows files to be dropped from Photos app to FileMaker.
  • Fixed bug in Path.NativePathToFilemakerPath.
  • Changed DynaPDF.Save to close current page if you forgot that.
  • Added Twain.SetPaper, Twain.SetPaperSize and Twain.GetPaper functions.
  • Some smaller fixes for FileMaker 14.
  • Fixed SyntaxColoring for comments for FileMaker 14.
Download at monkeybreadsoftware.de/filemaker/files/Prerelease/ or ask for being added to the dropbox shared folder.

Put reports on letter paper with MBS FileMaker Plugin and DynaPDF



Using MBS FileMaker Plugin and our DynaPDF functions, you can process a report generated by FileMaker and put a letter paper behind each page. Our example database (in next prerelease) shows you how to do this.

You can use two PDFs for letter paper, one for first page and second one for other pages. The letter paper PDFs can be stored in container fields or files on disk. You can have either one PDF for both pages or two PDFs, one for each page. Your script can even dynamically switch for each report to use different PDFs depending on the company branch, customer language or other criteria.

The only important thing is to have the report draw no background in the PDF which would hide the underlaying letter paper content. Of course we could add more plugin functions to remove unwanted background from a PDF for such a processing.

(The watermark goes away if you purchase a license of the DynaPDF Pro library and our plugin.)

FileMaker Drag & Drop from Photos app

Just a quick note: We changed the MBS FIleMaker Plugin's Drag & Drop features to accept promised file drops. This allows you to receive picture file drops from the new Photos app from Apple. Normally FileMaker will not accept them, but you can now create a drop area using the plugin and process them. Enjoy!

FileMaker 14 Runtimes

FileMaker 14Details about FileMaker 14 are coming out and there is one big problem for a lot of users here. Runtimes are now listed as deprecated.

"APIs, technologies, or features to be deprecated
As FileMaker Pro evolves, the list of APIs and technologies it supports may change. FileMaker recommends that you migrate your solution to use other APIs, technologies, or alternative features of the product, because the deprecated features may be deleted from this or a future version of the product.

  • FileMaker Pro runtime
  • Support for OS X 10.9 Mavericks
  • Support for 32-bit FileMaker Pro"
see help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/14502

It is very amazing that just after first release of a 64-bit version, they mark 32-bit as deprecated. Could easily be that FileMaker 15 ships 64-bit only!

Why do we care about runtimes?
  • Runtime can be used to make free demo copies of solutions for people to test and evaluate.
  • Solutions for single users which cost much less than a FileMaker Pro license.
  • Kiosk demos or self running demos of solution.
  • All the catalogs on DVD for giving away for free.
  • Small business solutions which normally start very small with a runtime and later go to Pro/Server when business grows.
If FileMaker Inc. really cancels the runtimes, a lot of FileMaker developers can no longer stay in business as they can't migrate everyone to FM Pro. Not to forget that FileMaker just raised a few prices on their price list.

There can be a hope that they offer something like FileMaker Go for Mac and Windows to fill the gap. So FileMaker Go for desktop with a database file and you have more or less the runtime back.

MBS FileMaker Plugin, version 5.1pr8

New in this prerelease of the 5.1 plugins:
  • Added MenuItem.GetRequireCommand, MenuItem.GetRequireControl, MenuItem.GetRequireOption, MenuItem.GetRequireShift, MenuItem.SetRequireCommand, MenuItem.SetRequireControl, MenuItem.SetRequireOption and MenuItem.SetRequireShift.
  • Added Menu.DefineQuickMenu.
  • Added MenuItem.GetBold, MenuItem.GetFontName, MenuItem.GetFontSize, MenuItem.GetItalic, MenuItem.GetUnderline, MenuItem.SetBold, MenuItem.SetFontName, MenuItem.SetFontSize, MenuItem.SetItalic and MenuItem.SetUnderline.
  • Added Files.Mount and Files.Unmount functions.
Download at monkeybreadsoftware.de/filemaker/files/Prerelease/ or ask for being added to the dropbox shared folder.

FileMaker 14

FileMaker 14Just today FileMaker 14 was released. The big change for me is 64-bit. Our plugin has been ready for 64-bit for a long time, as the Server used 64-bit before. Now it's 64-bit for everyone and you should make sure you have current plugins for best results.

If you use our SQL, Twain, LibXL, DynaPDF and other functions relaying on library files, be sure to have those in 64-bit, too. If you don't have TAPI driver in 64-bit, you should keep your solution running as 32-bit.

For the syntax coloring in FileMaker, the MBS Plugin can still overwrite FileMaker's colors and provide much more flexible rules for colors. Like red color if a called script is missing or checking calculation syntax to highlight wrong brackets.

With MBS FileMaker Plugin 5.0, everything should work already as we tested a lot with beta versions. With 5.1 we will probably fix a few minor things we'll encounter in the next days.
If you like to try, use our 5.1pr7 release: Prerelease Download

Enjoy the new version, test it and please email us if you see an issue.

More menu commands for FileMaker

For building a menu in FileMaker we got new plugin commands and options.

You can now use diamond and bullet as special setting for MenuItem.SetState function. This will provide on Mac the bullet and diamond images instead of a checkmark.

If you only want to show menu entries if modifier keys are pressed down like shift, command, option/alt or control, we got new functions for this:
MenuItem.SetRequireCommand, MenuItem.SetRequireControl, MenuItem.SetRequireOption and MenuItem.SetRequireShift.

You can also now set on Mac the font style with name, size and bold/italic/underline:
MenuItem.SetBold, MenuItem.SetFontName, MenuItem.SetFontSize, MenuItem.SetItalic and MenuItem.SetUnderline

Finally we got recently an MenuItem.ApplyColor function to set the color of the text:
MenuItem.ApplyColor

Still on the wish list is to get more features on Windows, but Microsoft doesn't make this easy. We'll see.

FileMaker DevCon in 10 weeks

The early bird offer ends in a two weeks, so be quick if you like to join the FileMaker Developer Conference in Las Vegas. Would be bad to decide too late and pay $500 more...

The Developer Conference is a great chance to meet over 1200 other FileMaker developers from all around the world. Not to forget that Las Vegas is a great place to visit!

Even if you are not so interested in casinos, you can take a car and drive outside the city to visit some desert like Red Rock Canyon. Or drive to Boulder and visit the Hoover Dam.

And did you know that if you sign up as a company with a group of 4 developers, the 4th ticket is free?

MBS will be present with a booth, so visit us there!


FileMaker Developer Meeting in Saarbrücken, Germany

Just arrived here and looking forward to the FileMaker developer meeting tonight.

Date: 7th May 2015
Time: 7 pm
Location: Ligatura Coworkers Saarbrücken, Quartier Eurobahnhof, Europaallee 22 27, 66113 Saarbrücken

Every FileMaker developer in the area is invited to come.
see website for details and contact information:
filemaker-magazin.de/service/filemaker-stammtische/saar-lor-lux/

MBS FileMaker Calendar Functions work on Server

Just today I verified again that our calendar functions do work on a server. But you need to install the server to run with a local user account, because the server will see the calendars of this account only. Normally you would install FM Server with the user account fmserver, but that one has no calendars!

Once server runs with normal user account, it can access calendars. Enjoy!

MBS FileMaker Plugin, version 5.1pr7

New in this prerelease of the 5.1 plugins:
  • Improved error message for Container.Export function.
  • Updated libSQL to version 4.1.5.
  • Updated DynaPDF to version 3.0.39.116.
  • Added MenuItem.ApplyColor function to color menu entries on Mac.
  • Added Menu.FindItemWithTag and Menu.FindItemWithTitle functions.
  • Added FM.InsertRecordQuery function.
  • Added parameter for RichText.ReplaceText to replace all.
  • Added FM.InsertRecord function.
  • Made SerialPort.SetDataAvailableHandler work correctly.
Download at monkeybreadsoftware.de/filemaker/files/Prerelease/ or ask for being added to the dropbox shared folder.

.fmp[x]Berlin 2015 starts next month

We are less than 30 days away from the upcoming dotfmp conference where you can meet me:

Berlin, Germany - 6 February 2015
We are pleased to announce the 3rd edition of THE pan-European Unconference for FileMaker Developer, .fmp[x]Berlin 2015.

Taking place from 4 − 6 June 2015 in the Hotel Upstalsboom Berlin, some of the finest brains of the European Software-Developer community will be meeting on a personal basis to exchange ideas and share knowledge.

This high-level content, all about the latest versions of the FileMaker Platform, will be accompanied by some special features that are not available elsewhere!

In terms of award-giving, unconference regulars will be pleased to know that the omnipresent 'dotfmp award for the longest journey’ will be better than ever. This not-to-be-taken-too-seriously event will continue to offer prizes and merriment. It will be joined by the "dotfmp Certification Exam for FileMaker Pro 2”, a nostalgic trip harking back to the beginning of software development. And, last but not least, the "Developer Passport” will honour the efforts of the most-dedicated developers in a very different way!

All this is framed by a very special supporting program. Starting on Wednesday 3rd, there will be the chance to hangout in one of the oldest beer gardens in Berlin. Delegates will be able to visit specialty restaurants on Friday 5th and to enjoy a Thuringian Barbecue on Saturday 6th. Closing, on Sunday, 7th is left free for sight-seeing to the many famous sights places and sights in Berlin.

.fmp[x]Berlin has been growing by 25% each year and has become an inherent part of the yearly schedule of the most important developers across the world. As such, this is the first time we have to limit the seats to a maximum of 80 attendees. In order to secure a place at this high-level event in one of the most exciting cities, register on the website now!

For more Information visit: www.dotfmp.com


Colors for Menus in FileMaker

We got new command for menus in FileMaker to color the menu entries on OS X. This allows you to add color to menu entries.

Of course you can combine this with a custom font, underline, bold or italic text styles.

# create menu
Set Variable [$menu; Value:MBS("Menu.CreateMenu")]
#
# create menu items...
Set Variable [$item; Value:MBS("MenuItem.CreateMenuItem"; "Hello World")]
Set Variable [$r; Value:MBS("Menu.AddItem"; $menu; $item)]

#
Set Variable [$item; Value:MBS("MenuItem.CreateMenuItem"; "Red Color")]
Set Variable [$r; Value:MBS("MenuItem.ApplyColor"; $item; "#FF0000")]
Set Variable [$r; Value:MBS("Menu.AddItem"; $menu; $item)]

#
Set Variable [$item; Value:MBS("MenuItem.CreateMenuItem"; "Green Color")]
Set Variable [$r; Value:MBS("MenuItem.ApplyColor"; $item; "#00FF00")]
Set Variable [$r; Value:MBS("Menu.AddItem"; $menu; $item)]

#
Set Variable [$item; Value:MBS("MenuItem.CreateMenuItem"; "Blue Color")]
Set Variable [$r; Value:MBS("MenuItem.ApplyColor"; $item; "#0000FF")]
Set Variable [$r; Value:MBS("Menu.AddItem"; $menu; $item)]

Coming soon in the next plugin version...

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