Executing script based on pull-down selection
| Author |
Message |
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Warner Onstin
#1 / 17
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 Executing script based on pull-down selection Hi all, I've seen similar things posted in the archive, but none that answer this question directly. If I have a pull down of items (value list), and a user changes or selects a value is there a way to trigger a script to run? I found some code yesterday, but before I saved it I had a power fluctuation
which shut down my computer. I know that event-based scripting isn't
available, but I was hoping someone had found a way around this one.
-warner
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| Tue, 04 Nov 2003 00:05:31 GMT |
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GS
#2 / 17
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Executing script based on pull-down selection The basic idea is to format your field with the value list as a pop-up menu and then define it as a button that performs the following script. Go To Field [Select/Perform, YourField]
Pause/Resume Script [0:00:00]
Perform Script [or whatever here]
--
Glenn Schwandt
Quote: > Hi all, > I've seen similar things posted in the archive, but none that answer this > question directly. If I have a pull down of items (value list), and a user > changes or selects a value is there a way to trigger a script to run? > I found some code yesterday, but before I saved it I had a power
fluctuation
> which shut down my computer. I know that event-based scripting isn't
> available, but I was hoping someone had found a way around this one.
> -warner
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| Tue, 04 Nov 2003 03:48:02 GMT |
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Warner Onstin
#3 / 17
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Executing script based on pull-down selection Thanks! Just started trying it and here's what happens: If I leave the Pause/Resume at 0 then it doesn't give me time to select
anything. If I up to 3, then it takes a long time to actually change the
values. Any ideas on how to improve upon this?
-warner
Quote: > The basic idea is to format your field with the value list as a pop-up menu > and then define it as a button that performs the following script. > Go To Field [Select/Perform, YourField]
> Pause/Resume Script [0:00:00]
> Perform Script [or whatever here]
> --
> Glenn Schwandt
> > Hi all,
> > I've seen similar things posted in the archive, but none that answer
this
> > question directly. If I have a pull down of items (value list), and a
> user
> > changes or selects a value is there a way to trigger a script to run?
> > I found some code yesterday, but before I saved it I had a power
> fluctuation
> > which shut down my computer. I know that event-based scripting isn't
> > available, but I was hoping someone had found a way around this one.
> > -warner
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| Tue, 04 Nov 2003 04:34:23 GMT |
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Bridget El
#4 / 17
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Executing script based on pull-down selection Hi Warner The work around is not pretty:
Go to Field [Select/perform, "FieldName"]
Loop
Exit Loop If ["not IsEmpty(FieldName)]
If [IsEmpty(FieldName)]
Pause/Resume Script [0:00:01]
End If
End Loop
Exit Record/Request
(rest of script)
Format the field as a button which runs this script. Basically, the user
clicks in the field triggering the script, the script selects the field
which makes the popup appear, the loop checks every second until it finds
an entry in the field, then the rest of the script runs. IMHO, it is more
trouble than it is worth.
--
Bridget Eley
Quote:
> Hi all, > I've seen similar things posted in the archive, but none that answer this > question directly. If I have a pull down of items (value list), and a user > changes or selects a value is there a way to trigger a script to run? > I found some code yesterday, but before I saved it I had a power fluctuation
> which shut down my computer. I know that event-based scripting isn't
> available, but I was hoping someone had found a way around this one.
> -warner
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| Tue, 04 Nov 2003 04:50:05 GMT |
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Bridget El
#5 / 17
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Executing script based on pull-down selection Correction: Set Field [FieldName, ""]
Go to Field [Select/perform, "FieldName"]
Loop
Exit Loop If ["not IsEmpty(FieldName)]
If [IsEmpty(FieldName)]
Pause/Resume Script [0:00:01]
End If
End Loop
Exit Record/Request
(rest of script)
Quote:
> Hi Warner > The work around is not pretty:
> Go to Field [Select/perform, "FieldName"]
> Loop
> Exit Loop If ["not IsEmpty(FieldName)]
> If [IsEmpty(FieldName)]
> Pause/Resume Script [0:00:01]
> End If
> End Loop
> Exit Record/Request
> (rest of script)
> Format the field as a button which runs this script. Basically, the user
> clicks in the field triggering the script, the script selects the field
> which makes the popup appear, the loop checks every second until it finds
> an entry in the field, then the rest of the script runs. IMHO, it is more
> trouble than it is worth.
> --
> Bridget Eley
> > Hi all,
> > I've seen similar things posted in the archive, but none that answer this
> > question directly. If I have a pull down of items (value list), and a user
> > changes or selects a value is there a way to trigger a script to run?
> > I found some code yesterday, but before I saved it I had a power fluctuation
> > which shut down my computer. I know that event-based scripting isn't
> > available, but I was hoping someone had found a way around this one.
> > -warner
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| Tue, 04 Nov 2003 04:59:59 GMT |
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Warner Onstin
#6 / 17
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Executing script based on pull-down selection Thanks, I had to bump up the time to 2 seconds, but that appears to have done the trick! -warner
Quote: > Correction: > Set Field [FieldName, ""]
> Go to Field [Select/perform, "FieldName"]
> Loop
> Exit Loop If ["not IsEmpty(FieldName)]
> If [IsEmpty(FieldName)]
> Pause/Resume Script [0:00:01]
> End If
> End Loop
> Exit Record/Request
> (rest of script)
> > Hi Warner
> > The work around is not pretty:
> > Go to Field [Select/perform, "FieldName"]
> > Loop
> > Exit Loop If ["not IsEmpty(FieldName)]
> > If [IsEmpty(FieldName)]
> > Pause/Resume Script [0:00:01]
> > End If
> > End Loop
> > Exit Record/Request
> > (rest of script)
> > Format the field as a button which runs this script. Basically, the
user
> > clicks in the field triggering the script, the script selects the field
> > which makes the popup appear, the loop checks every second until it
finds
> > an entry in the field, then the rest of the script runs. IMHO, it is
more
> > trouble than it is worth.
> > --
> > Bridget Eley
> > > Hi all,
> > > I've seen similar things posted in the archive, but none that answer
this
> > > question directly. If I have a pull down of items (value list), and a
user
> > > changes or selects a value is there a way to trigger a script to run?
> > > I found some code yesterday, but before I saved it I had a power
fluctuation
> > > which shut down my computer. I know that event-based scripting isn't
> > > available, but I was hoping someone had found a way around this one.
> > > -warner
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| Tue, 04 Nov 2003 09:21:18 GMT |
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Bridget El
#7 / 17
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Executing script based on pull-down selection Hi Warner When both the value list and the time it takes to decide on the value are
short, and everything goes according to plan, the technique works
reasonably well.
With long value lists and long decision making times, there is an annoying
flicker between paused and resumed state of script as the loop checks
every second to see if the field is empty. To set the pause to longer
than a second would be even more annoying as the user would have to wait
too long for something to happen after making the selection. The flicker
can be eliminated to some extent by hiding the status area and ensuring
that the background colour is white, but there is no way to avoid the
changes of state in the cursor from arrow to clock.
The second problem arises if users tabs rather than click into the field
(especially common with data entry specialists). Tabbing into a field
will not trigger the script. Therefore you have to make sure the field is
removed from the tab order.
A more serious problem (because there really is no remedy for it) is that
users could use the escape key to get rid of the pop-up list then manually
enter a non-authorised value. Pressing the cancel button in the Status
Area (or keyboard shortcut) will also have the same effect. You could use
validation to ensure that only authorised values are entered, but there
would be no way to resume the script afterwards. And while adding the
Allow User Abort [Off] script step to the beginning of the script will
remove the Cancel button from the Status Area, the keyboard shortcut will
still thwart the script.
--
Bridget Eley
Quote:
> Thanks, > I had to bump up the time to 2 seconds, but that appears to have done the > trick! > -warner
> > Correction:
> > Set Field [FieldName, ""]
> > Go to Field [Select/perform, "FieldName"]
> > Loop
> > Exit Loop If ["not IsEmpty(FieldName)]
> > If [IsEmpty(FieldName)]
> > Pause/Resume Script [0:00:01]
> > End If
> > End Loop
> > Exit Record/Request
> > (rest of script)
> > > Hi Warner
> > > The work around is not pretty:
> > > Go to Field [Select/perform, "FieldName"]
> > > Loop
> > > Exit Loop If ["not IsEmpty(FieldName)]
> > > If [IsEmpty(FieldName)]
> > > Pause/Resume Script [0:00:01]
> > > End If
> > > End Loop
> > > Exit Record/Request
> > > (rest of script)
> > > Format the field as a button which runs this script. Basically, the
> user
> > > clicks in the field triggering the script, the script selects the field
> > > which makes the popup appear, the loop checks every second until it
> finds
> > > an entry in the field, then the rest of the script runs. IMHO, it is
> more
> > > trouble than it is worth.
> > > --
> > > Bridget Eley
> > > > Hi all,
> > > > I've seen similar things posted in the archive, but none that answer
> this
> > > > question directly. If I have a pull down of items (value list), and a
> user
> > > > changes or selects a value is there a way to trigger a script to run?
> > > > I found some code yesterday, but before I saved it I had a power
> fluctuation
> > > > which shut down my computer. I know that event-based scripting isn't
> > > > available, but I was hoping someone had found a way around this one.
> > > > -warner
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| Tue, 04 Nov 2003 11:17:23 GMT |
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Warner Onstin
#8 / 17
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Executing script based on pull-down selection Wow, thanks for the heads up. I'll make sure that I put that into some kindof pop-up help. The main user will know, but who knows who will use it later. -warner
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| Tue, 04 Nov 2003 11:32:53 GMT |
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C. Alex Lord
#9 / 17
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Executing script based on pull-down selection There is a convenient bug in FM. If you are using a pop up menu- not list- then the pause of 0:00:00 will last until the user makes a selection. --
C. Alex Lorda
Quote: > Thanks! Just started trying it and here's what happens: > If I leave the Pause/Resume at 0 then it doesn't give me time to select
> anything. If I up to 3, then it takes a long time to actually change the
> values. Any ideas on how to improve upon this?
> -warner
> > The basic idea is to format your field with the value list as a pop-up
> menu
> > and then define it as a button that performs the following script.
> > Go To Field [Select/Perform, YourField]
> > Pause/Resume Script [0:00:00]
> > Perform Script [or whatever here]
> > --
> > Glenn Schwandt
> > > Hi all,
> > > I've seen similar things posted in the archive, but none that answer
> this
> > > question directly. If I have a pull down of items (value list), and a
> > user
> > > changes or selects a value is there a way to trigger a script to run?
> > > I found some code yesterday, but before I saved it I had a power
> > fluctuation
> > > which shut down my computer. I know that event-based scripting isn't
> > > available, but I was hoping someone had found a way around this one.
> > > -warner
|
| Tue, 04 Nov 2003 18:25:29 GMT |
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RDB
#10 / 17
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Executing script based on pull-down selection
I have used a solution very similar to Bridget's (see below), but with some twists:
1) Instead of isempty(), I have used Not Equal.
set tempfldname = fieldname
Go to Field [Select/perform, "FieldName"]
Loop
Exit Loop If [if(tempfldname not equal fieldName]
etc.
Now if the user changes the existing fieldname, the script will continue.
I don't know a solution to the flicker (although I'm going to test the set time
0:0:0:0), but tying to a bug is not comforting)
Another twist that I put in is to NOT use the if/then shown below. I haven't found
it to be necessary to include the logic, I simply include the Pause/Resume.
Lastly, I have included a 'stop gap' end loop statement (sometimes people simply
don't make a decision).
I include a simple increment in the script:
setfield[tempfld2] = 0 --- this field would never be seen on the
screen/layout
set tempfldname = fieldname
Go to Field [Select/perform, "FieldName"]
Loop
setfield[tempfld2] = tempfld2 + 1
Exit Loop If [if(tempfldname not equal fieldName OR tempfld2 > 5] --- you can
pick any number here
Pause/Resume Script [0:00:01]
end loop
exit record/request
Now if the person tabs out, the script will continue to a count of 5 and complete
-- but the value is what it was when it started. I have the script then do nothing
(nothing changed). However, it will end and the value list will disappear.
By the way, I found that only "pop-up list" allows this to work on a single
'click'.
Dick
Quote:
> Correction: > Set Field [FieldName, ""]
> Go to Field [Select/perform, "FieldName"]
> Loop
> Exit Loop If ["not IsEmpty(FieldName)]
> If [IsEmpty(FieldName)]
> Pause/Resume Script [0:00:01]
> End If
> End Loop
> Exit Record/Request
> (rest of script)
> > Hi Warner
> > The work around is not pretty:
> > Go to Field [Select/perform, "FieldName"]
> > Loop
> > Exit Loop If ["not IsEmpty(FieldName)]
> > If [IsEmpty(FieldName)]
> > Pause/Resume Script [0:00:01]
> > End If
> > End Loop
> > Exit Record/Request
> > (rest of script)
> > Format the field as a button which runs this script. Basically, the user
> > clicks in the field triggering the script, the script selects the field
> > which makes the popup appear, the loop checks every second until it finds
> > an entry in the field, then the rest of the script runs. IMHO, it is more
> > trouble than it is worth.
> > --
> > Bridget Eley
> > > Hi all,
> > > I've seen similar things posted in the archive, but none that answer this
> > > question directly. If I have a pull down of items (value list), and a user
> > > changes or selects a value is there a way to trigger a script to run?
> > > I found some code yesterday, but before I saved it I had a power fluctuation
> > > which shut down my computer. I know that event-based scripting isn't
> > > available, but I was hoping someone had found a way around this one.
> > > -warner
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| Tue, 04 Nov 2003 20:57:55 GMT |
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Bridget El
#11 / 17
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Executing script based on pull-down selection Hi Alex I have tried this and while it seems more responsive to the selection, the
flicker between the two states of the loop while deciding which selection
to make is even more maddening than when set at 1 second. What happens on
your machine(s)?
Bridget
Quote:
> There is a convenient bug in FM. If you are using a pop up menu- not list- > then the pause of 0:00:00 will last until the user makes a selection. > --
> C. Alex Lorda
> > Thanks! Just started trying it and here's what happens:
> > If I leave the Pause/Resume at 0 then it doesn't give me time to select
> > anything. If I up to 3, then it takes a long time to actually change the
> > values. Any ideas on how to improve upon this?
> > -warner
> > > The basic idea is to format your field with the value list as a pop-up
> > menu
> > > and then define it as a button that performs the following script.
> > > Go To Field [Select/Perform, YourField]
> > > Pause/Resume Script [0:00:00]
> > > Perform Script [or whatever here]
> > > --
> > > Glenn Schwandt
> > > > Hi all,
> > > > I've seen similar things posted in the archive, but none that answer
> > this
> > > > question directly. If I have a pull down of items (value list), and a
> > > user
> > > > changes or selects a value is there a way to trigger a script to run?
> > > > I found some code yesterday, but before I saved it I had a power
> > > fluctuation
> > > > which shut down my computer. I know that event-based scripting isn't
> > > > available, but I was hoping someone had found a way around this one.
> > > > -warner
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| Wed, 05 Nov 2003 04:50:26 GMT |
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C. Alex Lord
#12 / 17
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Executing script based on pull-down selection Hi Bridget, Actually there's no need for a loop with a menu. The scrip works as Glenn
gave it; you just set the scrip to pause for 0's and for what ever reason it
will wait for a selection and then continue.
--
C. Alex Lorda
Quote: > Hi Alex > I have tried this and while it seems more responsive to the selection, the
> flicker between the two states of the loop while deciding which selection
> to make is even more maddening than when set at 1 second. What happens on
> your machine(s)?
> Bridget
> > There is a convenient bug in FM. If you are using a pop up menu- not
list-
> > then the pause of 0:00:00 will last until the user makes a selection.
> > --
> > C. Alex Lorda
> > > Thanks! Just started trying it and here's what happens:
> > > If I leave the Pause/Resume at 0 then it doesn't give me time to
select
> > > anything. If I up to 3, then it takes a long time to actually change
the
> > > values. Any ideas on how to improve upon this?
> > > -warner
> > > > The basic idea is to format your field with the value list as a
pop-up
> > > menu
> > > > and then define it as a button that performs the following script.
> > > > Go To Field [Select/Perform, YourField]
> > > > Pause/Resume Script [0:00:00]
> > > > Perform Script [or whatever here]
> > > > --
> > > > Glenn Schwandt
> > > > > Hi all,
> > > > > I've seen similar things posted in the archive, but none that
answer
> > > this
> > > > > question directly. If I have a pull down of items (value list),
and a
> > > > user
> > > > > changes or selects a value is there a way to trigger a script to
run?
> > > > > I found some code yesterday, but before I saved it I had a power
> > > > fluctuation
> > > > > which shut down my computer. I know that event-based scripting
isn't
> > > > > available, but I was hoping someone had found a way around this
one.
> > > > > -warner
|
| Wed, 05 Nov 2003 11:19:57 GMT |
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Bridget El
#13 / 17
|
Executing script based on pull-down selection Now that you mention it, I seem to recall you went to some trouble to explain this once before but for some reason it just didn't stick. Thanks, Alex!
Quote:
> Hi Bridget, > Actually there's no need for a loop with a menu. The scrip works as Glenn
> gave it; you just set the scrip to pause for 0's and for what ever reason it
> will wait for a selection and then continue.
> --
> C. Alex Lorda
> > Hi Alex
> > I have tried this and while it seems more responsive to the selection, the
> > flicker between the two states of the loop while deciding which selection
> > to make is even more maddening than when set at 1 second. What happens on
> > your machine(s)?
> > Bridget
> > > There is a convenient bug in FM. If you are using a pop up menu- not
> list-
> > > then the pause of 0:00:00 will last until the user makes a selection.
> > > --
> > > C. Alex Lorda
> > > > Thanks! Just started trying it and here's what happens:
> > > > If I leave the Pause/Resume at 0 then it doesn't give me time to
> select
> > > > anything. If I up to 3, then it takes a long time to actually change
> the
> > > > values. Any ideas on how to improve upon this?
> > > > -warner
> > > > > The basic idea is to format your field with the value list as a
> pop-up
> > > > menu
> > > > > and then define it as a button that performs the following script.
> > > > > Go To Field [Select/Perform, YourField]
> > > > > Pause/Resume Script [0:00:00]
> > > > > Perform Script [or whatever here]
> > > > > --
> > > > > Glenn Schwandt
> > > > > > Hi all,
> > > > > > I've seen similar things posted in the archive, but none that
> answer
> > > > this
> > > > > > question directly. If I have a pull down of items (value list),
> and a
> > > > > user
> > > > > > changes or selects a value is there a way to trigger a script to
> run?
> > > > > > I found some code yesterday, but before I saved it I had a power
> > > > > fluctuation
> > > > > > which shut down my computer. I know that event-based scripting
> isn't
> > > > > > available, but I was hoping someone had found a way around this
> one.
> > > > > > -warner
|
| Wed, 05 Nov 2003 12:28:47 GMT |
|
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Bridget El
#14 / 17
|
Executing script based on pull-down selection Now I remember why it didn't stick - I couldn't get it to work on my machine, and I still can't. :-( Bridget
Quote:
> Now that you mention it, I seem to recall you went to some trouble to > explain this once before but for some reason it just didn't stick. > Thanks, Alex!
> > Hi Bridget,
> > Actually there's no need for a loop with a menu. The scrip works as Glenn
> > gave it; you just set the scrip to pause for 0's and for what ever reason it
> > will wait for a selection and then continue.
> > --
> > C. Alex Lorda
> > > Hi Alex
> > > I have tried this and while it seems more responsive to the selection, the
> > > flicker between the two states of the loop while deciding which selection
> > > to make is even more maddening than when set at 1 second. What happens on
> > > your machine(s)?
> > > Bridget
> > > > There is a convenient bug in FM. If you are using a pop up menu- not
> > list-
> > > > then the pause of 0:00:00 will last until the user makes a selection.
> > > > --
> > > > C. Alex Lorda
> > > > > Thanks! Just started trying it and here's what happens:
> > > > > If I leave the Pause/Resume at 0 then it doesn't give me time to
> > select
> > > > > anything. If I up to 3, then it takes a long time to actually change
> > the
> > > > > values. Any ideas on how to improve upon this?
> > > > > -warner
> > > > > > The basic idea is to format your field with the value list as a
> > pop-up
> > > > > menu
> > > > > > and then define it as a button that performs the following script.
> > > > > > Go To Field [Select/Perform, YourField]
> > > > > > Pause/Resume Script [0:00:00]
> > > > > > Perform Script [or whatever here]
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > Glenn Schwandt
> > > > > > > Hi all,
> > > > > > > I've seen similar things posted in the archive, but none that
> > answer
> > > > > this
> > > > > > > question directly. If I have a pull down of items (value list),
> > and a
> > > > > > user
> > > > > > > changes or selects a value is there a way to trigger a script to
> > run?
> > > > > > > I found some code yesterday, but before I saved it I had a power
> > > > > > fluctuation
> > > > > > > which shut down my computer. I know that event-based scripting
> > isn't
> > > > > > > available, but I was hoping someone had found a way around this
> > one.
> > > > > > > -warner
|
| Wed, 05 Nov 2003 16:27:22 GMT |
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Ruben van den Boogaar
#15 / 17
|
Executing script based on pull-down selection Hi Alex and Bridget, I tried the 00.00.00 wait on my Mac, but that doesn't seem to work (G4 OS 9.1 FM 4.1v3), the menu is not opened, so the script continues.
it opens a Menu list, but then doesn't stop.
I tried it under Virtual PC Win 95, (emulated on my G4) with a pop-up menu op 500 names, and that worked 1 out of 2 times. It appears like it sometimes takes to long to build the menu?!
Any idears??
Ruben
Quote: > Hi Alex
> I have tried this and while it seems more responsive to the selection, the
> flicker between the two states of the loop while deciding which selection
> to make is even more maddening than when set at 1 second. What happens on
> your machine(s)?
> Bridget
> > There is a convenient bug in FM. If you are using a pop up menu- not list-
> > then the pause of 0:00:00 will last until the user makes a selection.
> > --
> > C. Alex Lorda
> > > Thanks! Just started trying it and here's what happens:
> > > If I leave the Pause/Resume at 0 then it doesn't give me time to select
> > > anything. If I up to 3, then it takes a long time to actually change the
> > > values. Any ideas on how to improve upon this?
> > > -warner
> > > > The basic idea is to format your field with the value list as a pop-up
> > > menu
> > > > and then define it as a button that performs the following script.
> > > > Go To Field [Select/Perform, YourField]
> > > > Pause/Resume Script [0:00:00]
> > > > Perform Script [or whatever here]
> > > > --
> > > > Glenn Schwandt
> > > > > Hi all,
> > > > > I've seen similar things posted in the archive, but none that answer
> > > this
> > > > > question directly. If I have a pull down of items (value list), and a
> > > > user
> > > > > changes or selects a value is there a way to trigger a script to run?
> > > > > I found some code yesterday, but before I saved it I had a power
> > > > fluctuation
> > > > > which shut down my computer. I know that event-based scripting isn't
> > > > > available, but I was hoping someone had found a way around this one.
> > > > > -warner
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| Wed, 05 Nov 2003 16:35:53 GMT |
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