Export Field Contents (Update for FM 16)

Editor’s note: I am thrilled to feature a guest article by Beverly Voth.

In the article “An In-Depth Look at “Export Field Contents” (here), the study of how FileMaker exports text as single field contents is compared to the standard FileMaker Exports. Some of these present a problem when the field (exported) gets converted to something which a receiving system may reject as invalid. Several methods and alternative “fixes” are presented, including using XML & XSLT.

Update! NEW IN FMP 16 – we have a FIX!

There is a new function in FileMaker Pro (and Advanced) 16 that “fixes” a couple problems with Export Field Contents (namely the encoding and end-of-line). Instead of the Base64 nested function trick use the new Function:

TextEncode( text ; encoding ; lineEndings )

Reference: FM16 Help: TextEncode

Using TextEncode() & Export Field Contents

Set Field [ container ; TextEncode ( text ; encoding ; lineEndings ) ]

The container is any container field in your database, including global storage container fields. The text parameter is a field or variable which you have so carefully constructed into text as you want it. The encoding is the character encoding that is called “Output file character set” in the Specify Field Order dialog of standard Exports. The chart below specifies valid values for this parameter. The lineEndings allows you to pick how the “pilcrow” (¶, in the Calculation dialogs) or literal return-character is interpreted upon field export. The chart below specifies the valid values for this parameter, as well.

Your new scripting would be something like:

// set up your calculation into a TEXT field or variable
Set Variable [ $carefullyCalculatedText ; <> ]
	
// set up your path for export; something like:
Set Variable [ $filepath ; Get ( TemporaryPath ) & "myfile.txt" ]
	
// this replaces the Base64 nested functions:
Set Field [ myTable::ExportFldContainer ; TextEncode ( 
    $carefullyCalculatedText ; "utf-8" ; 1 ) // no change ]
	
// this is the same, but we are Exporting the container field
Export Field Contents [ myTable::ExportFldContainer ; $filepath ]

Notes & Tips:

• You may use a field (or variable) that is not calculated, such as user entered text, but it is still placed into a container before export with the new TextEncode() function.
• The $filepath is previously set as with all other exports.
• If you have an export where each “line” should end with “~” and CR, for example, then use the “1” parameter (unchanged) as you have calculated these values.
• Further testing is needed to see if the TAB (horizontal tab, ASCII 09) and other “invisible” characters are preserved with this function and upon export! The export with XML/XSLT may still be needed.
• Use ExecuteSQL() to create text that can be exported easily using the TextEncode() and Export Field Contents[]!
• Check out all the Container functions in FMP16 (changed or new)!
• If you want to keep the UTF-16 default for Export Field Contents, do not use the TextEncode, just export a text field from FMPro 16.
• REMEMBER that this is still only plain text (no formatting) exported.
• Containers still export ‘as is’, which is why this new conversion from Text to Container preserves the settings you specify.