Home > Designing and creating solutions > Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background > Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout mode > Specifying formats for container fields

Specifying formats for container fields

You can control how FileMaker Pro displays content in container fields.

Container fields store and display pictures, sounds, videos, and files of any type. (For more information, see Using data in container fields.) By default, container fields display:

•	Pictures as images

•	Sounds as a sound icon ()

•	Files of any type as the file icon and filename

When you format a container field, you can set scaling and alignment options for images. The formatting options you choose affect the display in FileMaker Pro only, and do not affect the original data.

To specify formats for container fields:

1.	In Layout mode, select one or more container fields.

For more information, see Selecting objects.

2.	Click Inspector in the layout bar, then click Data.

3.	In the Data Formatting area, click Graphic , then select the formats you want to use.

 

To	Do this
Display each image at its original size	From the Format list, choose Crop to frame. FileMaker Pro crops the image if it's too large to fit within the field boundaries.
Scale each image either always up, always down, or either up or down (depending on the data in the field) to fit within the field boundaries	From the Format list, choose Reduce image to fit, Enlarge image to fit, or Reduce or Enlarge image to fit. Unless you also select Maintain original proportions, the image is distorted to fit the proportions of the field boundaries.
Set the horizontal and vertical alignment	For Alignment, choose horizontal and vertical alignments.
Optimize for static content	Choose Images (JPEG, PNG, etc.).
Optimize for interactive content	Choose Interactive content (PDF, MP3, etc.). When this option is selected, the field becomes an interactive container. You can work interactively with files in interactive containers. For example, when a PDF is inserted into the field, you can scroll through pages, zoom in and out, and copy text. When an audio file or video file is in the field, you can play the media and use all available controls for that media type, such as pause, play, and fast-forward. To have audio and video play when you display the container field, also select Start playback automatically. If this option is not selected, you start audio or video files by clicking the play control.
Preserve transparency in an image stored as a PDF file in a container field optimized for static content	Choose Preserve PDF transparency. When this option is selected, the background of the container field shows through transparent areas in the image. Otherwise, transparent areas display as white.

Notes

•	If you select Interactive content for a field:

•	You can use this option for container fields that store embedded data, data stored externally, or local references to files.

•	Windows: If you plan to insert PDF files into a field, be sure that a web browser plug-in (such as Adobe Reader) is installed on the local machine. If it is not installed, the Insert menu > PDF command will be unavailable, even if Interactive content is selected.

•	This option is not supported for container fields that are in portals. However, it is supported if the container field is in a popover within a portal.

•	You can customize the type of content that can be inserted into a container field, and choose options for how the files are stored, displayed, and compressed. See Insert File script step.

•	If you add a background fill for an interactive container, you can only use a solid color fill. See Adding borders, fill, and baselines to fields.

Related topics 

About container fields

Inserting content into container fields

Working with web viewers on layouts

Working with audio and video in interactive containers