Copying formatting attributes in layouts

To use the Inspector to apply formatting attributes and custom styles to other layout objects, parts, or backgrounds:

In Layout mode, in the Inspector, click the Appearance Appearance tab. Then:

To

Do this

Copy the formatting or custom style of all states of an object or the format or custom style applied to a layout part

Select the object, or part label, then click Copy button to the right of the object type list (at the top of the tab).

Copy the formatting attributes of the selected display state of an object

Select the object and choose the display state you want to copy in the object state list, then click Copy button to the right of the list (at the top of the tab).

For more information about display states, see Specifying the display state for an object.

Copy the formatting attributes of the layout background

Click anywhere in the layout background to select it, then click Copy button to the right of the object type list (at the top of the tab).

Paste formatting attributes

Select one or more objects and choose the display state to which you want to apply the copied formatting attributes. (You can choose a different display state from the one you copied.) Click Paste button to the right of the object state list.

Paste the formatting attributes or custom style for all display states of the object that you copied

Select one or more objects, then click Paste button to the right of the object type list.

Paste the formatting attributes or custom style of the layout part that you copied, or paste the formatting attributes of the layout background

Select a part label or click anywhere in the layout background to select it, then click Paste button to the right of the object type list.

Note  You can't paste the custom style of a layout background from one layout to another; only the formatting attributes can be pasted.

Notes 

  • For objects that have multiple components, each component has a separate style. For example, portals have a Portal style, which formats the entire object, and a Portal: Rows style, which formats only the rows of the portal. For objects with multiple components, you can copy and paste only the format for the entire object (in this case, Portal, not Portal: Rows). The style for the entire object is always the first style listed in the object type list at the top of the Appearance Appearance tab in the Inspector.
  • To copy and paste custom styles between objects, the objects must be of the same type or similar types, such as a rectangle and oval, and must be on the same layout. If the objects are not of the same type, then any formatting attributes the object can use are pasted, but the style name on the target object doesn't change.
  • If you copy a popover button into another FileMaker Pro custom app, the popover is identical in the other custom app, except that FileMaker Pro doesn’t copy any styles applied to the popover button into the other custom app.

To use the Format Painter tool to apply formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or backgrounds:

  1. In Layout mode, select the object, part label, or click anywhere in the layout background that has the formatting attributes you want to apply to other objects, parts, or backgrounds.

    Note  To select the layout background, ensure no objects or parts are selected.

  2. Click the Format Painter tool Format painter tool in the status toolbar, or choose Format menu > Format Painter.

    Tip  To copy the display state of an object, hold down the Alt key (Windows) or the Option key (macOS), then click the Format Painter tool Format painter tool.

  3. Do one of the following:

    4. To apply formatting attributes to

    Do this

    A single object or a layout part

    Select the object or part label that you want to change.

    Multiple objects

    Drag the arrow pointer to make a selection box that includes the objects. The selection box does not have to completely surround the objects. To avoid including partially selected objects, press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (macOS) as you drag.

    Or, to apply copied formats to multiple objects individually, double-click the Format Painter tool to lock it, then Shift-click each object. To unlock and turn off the Format Painter tool, press Esc.

    A layout background

    Choose a different layout from the Layout pop-up menu, then click its layout background.

    For the new layout background to display, one or more layout parts must be transparent. See Setting the fill, line style, borders, shadows, and padding.