FileMaker Pro 14: The Missing Manual

Chapter 11. More Calculations and Data Types

The last chapter introduced the terminology and concepts behind FileMaker’s calculations. You learned how to create them by 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. The types are not listed in alphabetical order, but the functions within each type are. Choose “All functions by name” from the pop-up menu to the right of the search bar to get a purely alphabetical list, with no consideration for types. 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.

Note

To follow along in this chapter, you’ll find it helpful to download the sample database CH11 Function Types.fmp12 from this book’s Missing CD page at www.missingmanuals.com/cds/fmp14mm.

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 ...