Base Elements or Script Master: Overcoming Character Set Limitations in FileMaker Pro

When working with databases and exporting data to files, character set limitations can become a major hurdle. In this article, we will explore the challenges of character set inconsistencies between different file formats and how they can affect the usability of our scripts.

I recently encountered an issue while building a timeline creation database using FileMaker Pro. The database was designed to export two files: an HTML file for main page display and a JSON file containing the timeline elements. However, I found that when trying to view these files in Safari on a Mac, they were not displaying properly. This was due to the character set limitations in FileMaker Pro's Export Field Contents dialog box.

By default, FileMaker Pro exports data in UTF-16 format, which can cause issues when working with JavaScript files that are formatted to use UTF-8 characters. This is especially problematic when trying to generate interactive visual timelines and slideshows that rely on JSON files.

To overcome this limitation, I tried re-saving my JavaScript files as UTF-16 to see if it would solve the problem. However, this approach did not work, and I was left with no option but to find an alternative solution.

One potential solution is to use FileMaker Pro's ability to select different character sets in the Export Field Contents dialog box. This feature would allow developers to choose between different character sets when exporting data, which could help alleviate issues caused by character set inconsistencies.

Another approach is to use a single field and then export that field using the 'Export Field Contents' script step from the Record level. This method allows for more control over the output file format and can help avoid character set issues.

In conclusion, while FileMaker Pro provides many powerful tools for data management and exportation, its character set limitations can sometimes cause issues when working with different file formats. By understanding these limitations and using alternative solutions such as selecting different character sets or exporting single fields, developers can overcome these challenges and create more effective and efficient scripts.

Baseelements or script master