FileMaker Pro Format Painter
Posted on: Feb 6, 2009
The FileMaker Pro Format Painter is one of the most unused, unknown FileMaker tools, yet is one of the most valuable, time saving FileMaker tool a developer can use. ( FileMaker Developer Tip ) It has been around since FileMaker Pro 6, but is becoming more known in FileMaker 10 as it is now available in the FileMaker Customizable Toolbar.
Easily keep FileMaker layout themes consistent. Select the FileMaker Layout Elements that you want to replicate, click or select the FileMaker Format Painter, then select the FileMaker layout elements you want to look the same, and there you are. (You can lock the Format Painter to stay on too.)
To apply an object’s attributes to other objects:
1.
In Layout mode, select the object with the attributes you want to apply.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2.
Click the Format Painter tool in the status toolbar, or choose Format menu > Format Painter.
Tip If you want to apply attributes to several objects that are not close enough to select by dragging, lock the Format Painter tool by double-clicking it.
3.
Do one of the following:
•
To apply the attributes to a single object, select the object you want to change.
•
To apply the attributes to multiple objects, drag to select all the objects to which you want to apply the attributes.
Note To turn off or unlock the Format Painter tool, press Esc.
2 Comments, Comment or Ping
Posted by Stephen Goodson on Oct 26th, 2010 at 9:58 am
In FM 6-Down you could simply select a number of items and the last one selected would be used as the “template” for the others, formatting with a right mouse click. With FM 7-Up that is not the case. : (
FileMaker, unlike a fine wine, is not aging well.
Posted by admin on Oct 26th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
We do not agree with Stephen Goodson’s comment, although we appreciate his opinion.
The newer Format Painter and all functionality in the current version of FileMaker (11 currently) is significantly better for designing professional layouts.
FileMaker is evolving elegantly, and not fast enough in some opinions. We can do things with great ease that were previously impossible or really hard to work with.
Stephen, if you need help learning how to use it, we offer our services at a fee, or you can just practice and learn about best practices. (Or maybe leave the wine drinking to when you aren’t trying to learn new programing techniques.)
Reply to “FileMaker Pro Format Painter”