FileMaker Pro 4.1 Mac User's Guide

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Using ScriptMaker and buttons 5-3
Scripts help you do a job the same way every time. They carry out
simple steps, like changing the printing orientation for envelopes, or
complex tasks, like preparing a large mailing.
You can perform additional scripts, called subscripts, within a script.
Subscripts make it easy to break a complex task into small tasks. For
example, you can find customers with a balance due with one script, and
then print form letters requesting payment with another script. The first
script contains a command that performs the second script (the
subscript). If a subscript is in a different file, it’s called an external
script.
With FileMaker Pro, you can:
1 define a script that pauses to let you do unscripted tasks, like entering
data. When you resume the script, FileMaker Pro performs the
remaining script commands.
1 save settings, like find requests and sort orders, in a script.
1 print the commands and settings that make up a script. (See chapter 6,
“Previewing and printing information.”)
1 define passwords that prevent other users from defining or changing
scripts. (See “Protecting your files” on page 7-9.)
1 perform a startup script, a script that runs when you open a
FileMaker Pro file. For example, a startup script can switch to a data
entry layout whenever you open a customer order database.
FileMaker Pro can also perform a shutdown script every time you
close a file. (See “Setting document preferences” on page 9-7.)
1 send Internet mail using a separate email client (this requires an email
account).
1 launch Web browser software and have it display a specified URL
(Web address—this requires an account with an Internet service
provider).
Choose FileMaker Help Index from the or Help menu, and then type:
E scripts, overview