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Check out options for FileMaker JavaScript Integration

The just released FileMaker version 19 brings some welcome additions to use JavaScript with web viewer. You can now use a script step Perform JavaScript in Web Viewer to run JavaScript within the web viewer on the current layout.

In MBS FileMaker Plugin, we have our own WebView.RunJavaScript function since version 1.3 from July 2007. That function has been upgraded as WebView.Evaluate end of last year for version 10.0 of our plugin to provide results back on MacOS, Windows and iOS.

The built-in functionality has an advantage the plugin can't provide, which is is having it work in FileMaker Go or Web Direct. But you first need to upgrade everything to FileMaker version 19.

As usual we expect that the majority of the FileMaker developers will be happy with the built-in functionality, but if you need more, our plugin can provide additional features. Here is a table to compare features between MBS FileMaker Plugin and FileMaker's built-in functions.

FeaturePlatformFileMaker 19MBS FileMaker Plugin
Required FileMaker versionFileMaker 19 and newerFileMaker 19, 18, 17 and older
Run JavaScript in web viewerFileMaker MacOSYesYes
FileMaker WindowsYesYes
iOS with FileMaker GoYesNo plugin on FileMaker Go
iOS with SDKYesYes
Web DirectYesNo, plugin has no access to browser with Web Direct
Run JavaScript without Web ViewerFileMaker MacOSNoYes, see JavaScript or JavaScriptMac functions
FileMaker WindowsNoYes, see JavaScript Functions
iOS with FileMaker GoNoNo plugin on FileMaker Go
iOS with SDKNoYes, see JavaScript or JavaScriptMac functions
Web DirectNoYes, see JavaScript Functions
Server ScriptingNoYes, see JavaScript Functions
Returns result from JS directlyFileMaker MacOSNoYes, with WebView.Evaluate, JavaScriptMac or JavaScript functions
FileMaker WindowsNoYes, with WebView.Evaluate or JavaScript functions
iOS with FileMaker GoNoNo plugin on FileMaker Go
iOS with SDKNoYes, with WebView.Evaluate, JavaScriptMac or JavaScript functions
Web DirectNoNo, plugin has no access to browser with Web Direct
Server ScriptingNoYes, see JavaScript Functions
Trigger script via FMP URLYesYes
Trigger script from JavaScriptFileMaker MacOSYesYes, via WebView.AddScriptMessageHandler
FileMaker WindowsYesNo, WebView.InstallCallback broke with newer IE versions. ServerSocket functions may work.
iOS with FileMaker GoYesNo plugin on FileMaker Go
iOS with SDKYesYes, via WebView.AddScriptMessageHandler
Web DirectYesNo
Pass file name for script:No, always current file.Yes
Available via Script StepYesYes
Available as FunctionNoYes
Available for Custom FunctionsNoYes
Data Types for parameter or return valueText onlyText, Boolean, Number or JSON.
Set Webviewer to be silentNoYes, for Windows, see WebView.SetSilent
Run JavaScript synchronouslyNoYes
Run JavaScript asynchronouslyYesYes, for MacOS & iOS via option for WebView.RunJavaScript function
Works in runtimesNoYes

Let us know if you have a correction or addition for the table above.
Please don't hesitate to contact us with your questions.

21 05 20 - 10:34