About custom functions

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

The custom functions utility lets you create custom functions that can be reused anywhere in the database file in which they are created. You can copy and paste custom functions between FileMaker Pro files or you can import custom functions from other FileMaker Pro files. Once a formula has been written or changed for the function, they do not have to be rewritten to be applied to other fields or used in other scripts.

Custom functions can be used:

  • anywhere in a file
  • by any user or only by users with full access privileges
  • across multiple platforms
  • to replace third-party plug-ins for some purposes
  • whether or not the Use advanced tools option is selected

Newly defined functions appear under their own category in the functions list of the Specify Calculation and Edit Custom Function dialog boxes. If you do not wish to reveal your custom functions, you can disable their display in these dialog boxes.