FileMaker Pro 12: The Missing Manual

Chapter 10. More Calculations and Data Types

The last chapter introduced the terminology and concepts behind FileMaker’s calculations. You learned how to create them using the Specify Calculation window’s tools. The sheer length of the function list shows how big a role functions play in good calculation construction. FileMaker divides that long list into types so it’s easier to find the one you need, and because the types usually share some common traits that make using them easier. In this chapter, you’ll learn about the most common functions for the various data types—text, number, date, time, timestamp, and container—and when to use them. To test a calculation, just create a brand new calculation field, and then start building it using the techniques you’ve learned so far. If it doesn’t work the way you expect, or if you don’t need it after your experiment is done, then just delete the field.

Number Crunching Calculations

Although they don’t come first in the function list, number functions are the most obvious application of calculations, so they’re a logical place to start. Plus, many concepts you’ll learn for number functions apply to other functions as well.

Note

See Creating a Sort Script for a refresher on mathematical operators.

Number Function Types

Since FileMaker has so many number functions, the function list breaks them up into smaller groups with descriptive names. You can easily find the group you need (or skim by them without looking, if you might be traumatized by ...