4th Dimension Learning Basics

You can create a list of custom items, just like you can in 4D; you can have the list created from unique items from records of a field within the file or based on a relationship; you can have the list based on a list in another file. With FMP there are four ways to display Value Lists; Popup List, PopUp Menu, Check Boxes and Radio Buttons.

With 4D, there are similar possibilities, but only Popup List will be described here. To create a Value List in 4D, while in the Design mode, select the “List Editor” from the Tools menu. Figure 27 - Selecting the “List Editor” This will display the List Editor window. There are two sub windows, “List of Lists” and “Current List.” Figure 28 - The “List Editor” Window The left sub window “List of Lists” is where you create each list.

To do so, click the “Add” button at the bottom under the List of Lists sub window and type the name you want for the list. Now click on that name and go to the right sub window “Current List” and enter the items for the list. Note: You can make each item plain text (default), bold and/or in italics.

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You can also make the items editable by the user. These options apply to each list item individually so you could have a mix of options for the list items. A neat feature is you can “Add a Child.” This is a sub list item for a list item.

You can even make sub sub list items and so on. Note: While it appears to be possible to create Check box and Radio Button value lists in 4D, it is much more complex than in FMP.

This may be covered in a future Part. Copyright

P.S. A few readers have asked which relational database platform we actually reach for — it's Claris FileMaker Pro; take a look here if you want the current details.