Using advanced tools > About custom functions > Custom function dependency rules
 

Custom function dependency rules

Note  This feature is available when the Use advanced tools general preference is selected. See Using advanced tools.

When you copy or import a custom function into a file, FileMaker Pro Advanced attempts to resolve any dependencies the function may contain. The following dependency rules apply under different conditions:

If function_a has a dependency on function_b, yet only function_a is copied or imported into a target file that contains a function_b, function_a calls function_b located in the target file, which may cause unexpected results.

If function_a has a dependency on function_b, yet only function_a is copied or imported into a target file, function_a appears enclosed in comment characters (/*<function_definition>*/) in the Manage Custom Functions dialog box, indicating the new function is invalid in the target file.

If function_a has a dependency on function_b, and both function_a and function_b are copied or imported into a target file, function_a will operate as expected.

If function_a has a dependency on function_b, and both functions are copied or imported into a target file that contains an existing function_b, the copied function_b is renamed function_b N. FileMaker Pro Advanced updates function_a to call function_b N and function_a operates as expected.

If function_a has a dependency on function_b, and both functions are copied or imported into a target file that contains an existing function_a and function_b, the copied functions are renamed function_a N and function_b M. FileMaker Pro Advanced updates function_a N to call function_b M and function_a N operates as function_a in the original file.

If function_a calls itself recursively and it is copied or imported into a target file that contains an existing function_a, FileMaker Pro Advanced renames the copied function to maintain the integrity of the dependency.