Filemaker Pro - Variable PDF Filename

[@GuyStevens0]

I forgot to mention that you can also use fields from related tables in the filename. Greetings Guy

[@a4g4ever]

Thanks very much for clarifying how to use dates in the name of the file exported. Believe it or not, I couldn't find anywhere how to solve the problem. And see, it's been 5 years and still someone finds it useful! :)

[@oplapman56]

Awesome Vid... Being 64 Years Old, I actually understood everything you taught.

[@GeeWhizRS]

Thank you, I was scratching my head with this. Worked perfectly.

[@drp2792]

This worked great - thanks Guy! I made my script create a filename like "John Smith_4-2-2018" where the date is the current date, ie, the date when I created the PDF. I used: Set Variable [$Filename; Value: "put in the file location/" & Table::Full Name & "_" & Substitute ( Get ( CurrentDate ); "/"; "-") & ".pdf"

[@GuyStevens0]

That's great. And you are correct to substitute the slashes in the date by minus characters. Otherwise you will have trouble with the filename on windows. Greetings Guy

[@Sharpie2511]

Hello Guy. Another great video thank you. Currently, I am making different $Filename variables for each user. This is because some people are on Mac, some on PC and others are working from home and the file paths to the shared directory are slightly different for those users. Is this the best approach? Thanks again.

[@Charkieh]

Thank you very much Guy Stevens, it was very helpful video...10X

[@MrDiertje]

Hallo Guy,great video

[@tienmanh1485]

I have a few problems. I want to export excel file .xlsx from html or xml format? I use FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced.

[@armandogutierrez2880]

Guy great solution, I have one question I have observed if you try to use a Rum Time for some reason doesen't work an give me an error such as, " Save Records as PDF has been canceled. Do you wish to continue with Script?"

[@GuyStevens0]

Hi Armando, I have never created a runtime. I'm on a mac computer. Maybe the runtime doesn't have permission to write on the hard drive or something? Here is some info I found on google: community.filemaker.com/thread/71118 Greetings Guy

[@henriborius6158]

Great and to the point. Thanks.

[@vassilismichaelides]

Excellent!! Thank you Guy.

[@antoniolares4517]

Genial, muchas gracias!

[@wdillard01]

Hello, can we expect any new videos anytime soon?

[@GuyStevens0]

Hello, Im currently very busy with multiple projects. I often will make a video if someone is dealing with a very specific problem. If you have any idea's you can always let me know. :) Greetings Guy

[@marykaiya]

Hello, I always see your videos and I learn a lot about the filemaker. I have a question and if you could help me I'd be happy. I'm trying to create PDF on the server, the way it's here, does it make any difference? I get a message that I can not create.

[@GuyStevens0]

I don't think you will be able to create a file on the Filemaker Server. Normally the PDF is created on the computer of the user. With multiple user this is annoying because you need to refer to a folder that exists on all users computers. But you can use Get (DesktopPath) or Get (TemporaryPath) or Get ( DocumentsPath) This will give you a path no matter if the computer is a mac or windows. Greetings Guy

[@Rustami_Kosim]

great great thanks Guy

[@classic9632000]

Few weeks ago I was trying to make a contact database that allowed user to save excel, jpg or pdf file in a container in a portal, that was very simple however I could not get the file to open when clicked on. I also had trouble transferring the file to my friend's computer because filmmaker was looking for my desktop. Would you please be kind enough to make a lesson base on this problem. Thanks a million

[@GuyStevens0]

Hi Mehrdad, I just created a new video on Container fields. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5-kloZ9mauVfq8 Maybe you can find some useful info there. Greetings Guy

[@howardcallender8927]

Thanks for sharing!

[@nolimetangere2011]

Great Guy ... ciao!

[@rawdonut]

Guy, thanks for the video. This saves me time when creating reports. I'm having a problem though when several people use this file on Dropbox. The destination of their Dropbox folder is different then mine so it can't find or create a filename. Can you (or anyone else) give a solution (such as a variable) to find and create a file?

[@GuyStevens0]

Hi, First of all you can't use the Filemaker file with multiple people at the same time on Dropbox. You can however use it one person at a time. To store pdf files on multiple computers you can use a standard directory like the desktop or the documents folder. Every person then needs to create a subfolder there (I think Filemaker 17 can actually create that folder itself if it doesn't exist.) To use this you need the function Get(DesktopPath) or Get(DocumentsPath) and then append a folder name and filename. Greetings Guy

[@maccyberchicken]

although 5years old still avery good how to. Thanks

[@JeromeHospied]

Hi Guy, awsome vid. I was wondering if you know how to Combine two .pdf files. Let's say, you need the receipt, the ID card, product brochure.. and other .pdf files all in one unique PDF. (I store all the pdf in container fields inside FM not "Externaly") I know you can Append to pdf in FM but it doesn't work if the .pdf file is already in a Container Field. I tried exporting the .pdf that is in a Container field first and then append as .pdf but this only works for .pdf generated from FM and moreover I can not choose the order of the documents in that one .pdf, the first exported .pdf will always appear on top, which I do not want... I read a lot of things about applescript which is still confusing for me yet... I can't believe something so easy is so hard to set up. I hope you can help and keep up the good work.

[@GuyStevens0]

Hi, You are correct. You can't append to an existing Pdf file. Even if it was stored in a container file. The only thing that might work is if the Pdf that is stored in the container field is always only one page, you could simply show it full size on a layout and save that layout as a Pdf. Then you can save multiple Pdf's and you can put the pages in any order you like. This won't work if the stored Pdf file is a multi page pdf. Greetings Guy

[@scottchinnock3993]

My script is getting hung up (like you described if there is a return in a name, or illegal characters in the name). The error is "(The file) could not be created on this disk. Use a different name, make more room on the disk, unlock it or use a different disk." I'm using a PC, and don't have any returns or odd characters. Do you know of any other issues that would cause an error? Thanks.PS: I have learned a lot from your videos, and appreciate them.

[@GuyStevens0]

Hi Scott, Are there any other illegal characters in the filename? Like these: * . " / \ [ ] : ; | = , It's also possible the folder doesn't exist. I don't know if this script worked before and is just now giving an error, or if it never worked. Also possible is that you are trying to save to a PDF file that's open. Greetings Guy

[@scottchinnock3993]

Hi Guy, Thank you for your help. My "C" drive was listed in the folder path. It works now!!!

[@acrotelit_support9849]

Hello! Is this still working? Because I get .pdf, no matter what field I try...

[@GuyStevens0]

You may be trying to create a variable from an unrelated field. This can be the case of you change to another layout somewhere during your script. You can try to create variables first in your script before you change to another layout. Greetings Guy