I've finally got my navigation and search functions working on my database ... Now for the nice little extras!
I've added Previous Page / Next Page buttons, but that can be a little tedious running through the records to get to the one I want.
How can I add a slider, like the one in the Status Toolbar?
That's rather disappointing.
I rarely use the slider, what would you use it for? If you built previous, next, first, and last button, you could add go to record but again seldomly used
I’ve learned to be very careful about saying “it can’t be done” ;-)
It wouldn’t be surprising to find that someone has come up with a widget that can do this.
Whether or not such item is possible, here are some fairly simple ideas I’ve used:
Many of my “Nav Buttons” follow this pattern:
<< | < | search tools here | > | >>
the outer 4 buttons run the same script with different parameters to go to first, previous, next, last records. The “search tools” vary with the needs of the user and the layout’s portion of the data model. It can be a global field for entering a record number, search text, selection portals in popovers, drop down/pop up type value lists...
so no slider in my case, but several ways to jump to specific records or groups of records.
Yes, I did think of that, but it wouldn't work as well as the slider. I use it all the time. It's the easiest way to get to roughly the right area, then fine tune with previous/next.
Yes I know and OP has stated that he built already these buttons so I figured he really wanted the slider with same functionality. In another post, we already answered the question about all these buttons see Recreate the features in the Status Toolbar
“It can be a global field for entering a record number,”
So if you have a found set of 1000 Records, you could enter a number such as 600 to get to the last third. Not as elegant as a slider but easy to do.
I habitually do something similar to this with my set of 5 standard navigation buttons:
The middle one ("#") activates the "Go to Record/Request/Page [ with dialog: On ; ]" command. The others operate like DVR controls.
I usually put these buttons in the vicinity of the "RecSho" field that I display at the top of every page:
In this example the numbers are
2 = current record
5 = number of records in found set
2197 = total record count
Can be done, not 'native' but possible
Sounds interesting .... but a bit pricey for me. I'm only looking to make one database for my own use.
Hey jbrown, might you have a working example of such a "slider" implemented in a web viewer that might be adapted to this purpose?
you read my mind. Was working on something. I do have a slider but it isn’t set up to navigate thru records. I’ll get it done!!
Here's my version. it isn't perfect.
I don't like that the web viewer widget reloads after sliding to a record, so I put the nav tool in a popover.
I'll continue to play with it and maybe incorporate something like this into my DevCon session on JavaScript training.
That's exactly what I'm looking for .... but I can't work out how it's done.
So I wasn't precise enough when I said cannot be done, I should have added natively because that's what I meant
What in jbrown's file is not Native? Every piece of it is supported and written in FileMaker. We, as a whole, need to expand our definition of native. Just because we can't crank out something that is powered by JavaScript, doesn't mean it's not "native". It simply means we have some skills to add to enhance our development. As Chris-Irvine talked about at DevCon, "FileMaker is not an Island".
As a matter of fact, Native FileMaker is infinite. Even the slider I posted down below somewhere.
Not sure if you read thru that post, but there was a lot of discussion about what is Native FileMaker. It spawned all sorts of thinking. Now folks nudge me when the words 'native' and 'FileMaker' come up.
To jormond and jbrown, okay gentlemen, forget I mention the word "Native", I'll never do it anymore.
You are telling me that Java Script is native that is obviously what I was referring to. My comment was a matter of opinion. I would say Java can be used with FMP, to me the rest is semantic, the web viewer opens FMP to another world.
I would like to insist on the fact that I was not, in any form or shape, criticizing the work of anybody. I even take my hat off to jbrown because yes I can't crank a Java script.
Now, that said, I would like to mention that I always write my answer to OP depending on my perception of his level of mastery of FMP. Is it a mistake, I don't know but quite often I see answers, given the way the question was asked, that are not on par with OP level.
I love highly technical stuff, but when I answer to a question, I don't think about me, I am thinking: "Is this going to help OP?, Is he/she going to understand and implement it?." I just try to be practical and help OP. I have made answers where I said: 1) Quick fix do that, 2) Break your table x and create table y and z, create relationships, etc...
To end on the subject, once more-it is my opinion, that it is more important to learn FMP first and then when you have a good level, you extend your skills with something either more difficult, less known, less often used, etc.
Respectfully and sincerely,
Thierry Guemboura
I was trying to be clear about what we are talking about, that's all. My apologizes if that sounds overly crude.
So back to the discussion. One of the greatest things I've learned is that I don't need the skills to write a piece of code, in order to use it. That is essentially the premise of code libraries. As an added benefit, you typically get libraries that have been thoroughly tested by hundreds of developers, because they are all using it and reporting back on bugs. They get fixed, we get better libraries.
Whether its Java, or JavaScript ( important to know they are not the same or even related ), Python, PHP, SQL, whatever. I can find code online, and while I couldn't write it myself, I can use, implement, and modify it to work for me.
Because JavaScript runs in a browser, we have a JavaScript player right in FileMaker with the WebViewer. Long before jbrown could write his own JavaScript, he was copying in libraries and using them. Some code from the web, a little testing and playing, boom, new-native-really-awesome functionality added.
It is this last point that allows, even fairly new developers/users, to add and use such nifty techniques. FileMaker runs on some flavor of C, Java, JavaScript ( built right into FileMaker Server ), etc. We simply leverage those capabilities.
Your thoughts, Jeremy's thoughts, my thoughts, etc, all combine to give the readers ( not just the OP ) a deeper understanding of what FM is capable of. Even if they can't use it right now, they know its possible.
I am fine with everything you said. I use Java Script as well without being able to debug fully. I implemented on several large databases Messenger by FileMaker Inspirations and I love it and never had any problems even thru several upgrades of OS and FMP.
See picture below
But I rarely do that unless I have reversed engineered and I know perfectly what is going on so I can sleep on both ears.
If the database would be for me, my strategy would be different but with a client I hate to say I don't know.
You are telling me that Java Script is native that is obviously what I was referring to. My comment was a matter of opinion. I would say Java can be used with FMP, to me the rest is semantic, the web viewer opens FMP to another world.
Howdy, I was not clear. you mention Java Script (==>javascript or JavaScript) and then Java. These are not the same. I just want the other's following the thread to understand as well.
javascript (like the SQL used in ExecuteSQL) need a little more knowledge than the FMP other functions and scripts. Is that what you were trying to convey with your reply?
Beverly
Yes I meant javascript or JavaScript all along like in my picture and yes i said:
you extend your skills with something either more difficult, less known, less often used, etc.
Sometimes I see a basic question asked by some beginner (no shame in that) but the first answer provided is ExecuteSQL. I am wondering if this is the right answer even though ExecuteSQL will obviously work but for a beginner... Like jormond said all answers are good to know because other readers (with more skills) will prefer eSQL when they read the answer provided but the person who answer eSQL should mention a degree of difficulty or mention that other less difficult answers exist or might exist and that is my opinion.
Then multiple answers to a question are good! It's up to OP to decide if something works and if there is a lack of knowledge, for OP (or anyone) to ask more to get that knowledge.
We don't have a way who is beginner or who is not. So, it's up to OP to come back with:
1. What? I don't understand
2. That's cool tell me more
3. Ah I've got it now. There is more than one way to do the same thing.
Beverly
I said that I agreed with jormond that all answers are good.
we don't have a way...
even the OP sometimes tells you he/she is just starting and doesn't know much, isn't that a way? (rhetorical question)
Have a great evening Beverly.
Jeremy Brown:
Great DEMO!!
How about showing records via portal?
It prevents webviewer flickering.
And then using 'input' event instead of 'change' (on which you call fmpurl script) makes your DEMO more beautiful.
Thanks
I'll give what you suggest a try.
I actually thought about removing the post because a widget like this is a lot of work for not a lot of functionality. But then thought: Hey it is a native-FileMaker way to solve the OP's need.
Jeremy:
you wrote
> a widget like this is a lot of work for not a lot of functionality
But I don't think so.
There is an enough merit to use webviewer slider with portal.
Not a slider but how about a series of small buttons next to each other and each would take you a percentage of the way through your records? If designed nicely, it would provide a similar experience with little difficulty. If you have 20 buttons, each would take you 5% further into your records.
I'm fairly new to FM but just thought this may be an alternate.
I eventually decided on the usual forward and back buttons, then either side of those, forward +5 and back -5, then either side of those, forward +15 and back -15. That enables me to fast forward or reverse fairly easily. For larger databases, I'll make the buttons jump further (or add extra buttons).
Jeremy, this is a great example, thank you. However, when I move the slider I get the following error. Does it only work if the file is hosted on FMS?
The file "NavSlider.fmp12" could not be
opened. Either the host is not available, or
the file is not available on that host.
I have done as 361Phil suggested, using 20 small buttons and dividing up the records. I personally don't think it is very helpful but my client really wanted something to mimic a slider. 
FMI really needs to add a "widget" library of GUI elments similar to what 4D has had for over 20 years. I'm not sure their technology is compatiable with this idea but having precanned funtionally build into GUI elements you could just drag onto a layout I think is consistent with their ease of use "build your first database in 5 minutes" marketing compaign lol!
I recommend that you post a product idea for it if no one else has done so for you....
I would enjoy seeing here what other type of widgets people would find helpful to be able to provide a more detailed product idea of what widgets could be in such a library. In general I think FMI should move to a more library centric model for managing all the elements of your solutions. A "library manager" for custom functions, GUI elements, maybe script code, etc.. that you could access and deploy from a central area I think could be very compelling if designed properly.
See if this shows anything:
If what you seek is NOT there? Create one! Product Ideas
Thank you I am well aware of that but frankly I don't think that roadmap is leading the product in a direction most people want to go or really where the product needs to go if they are serious about being successful in 2019 and beyond. Let's just hope the important parts of the map are still missing like in Jumanji Weclome to the Jungle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjcP49I5Hig&frags=pl%2Cwn and that FMI finds it before the next release!
It cannot be done.
FYI, you clicked on Start a Conversation rather than Ask a Question. The icon on the left of your title should be a question mark.