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Purpose

Convert FileMaker clipboard format both to and from text. Either input will result in clipboard being able to be pasted into either FileMaker or a text editor.

Why would you want to do this?

  • Use a text editor find/replace within all steps from a script, which could then be pasted back into FileMaker.
  • Quickly get the internal id of any FM element that can be copied.
  • Extract an SVG icon from a layout object.
  • Modify layout object styles that FileMaker interface doesn't allow you to (beware!).
  • Save commonly used elements (like script steps) in a program like PhraseExpander, so you can quickly paste them without having to re-create them.
  • Take the prior item to the next level with some user input and customize the clip before pasting it https://youtu.be/-DWA9i2eD3c .
  • I could go on, but i'll stop there!

Instructions

  1. Download the script and put it in any folder you choose.
  2. Open PowerShell: Start > Type "PowerShell" > Click on Windows PowerShell
  3. Type the full path to the script (surround in quotes if it contains spaces), press Enter to run it.
    • If you get an error about Execution Policy, you may need to modify the execution policy, or temporarily bypass it.
    • Another option that might work in conjunction with your existing execution policy is to unblock the file with a command like: 
      Unblock-File "C:\Path\To\Convert-FMClip.ps1"
  4. When the script runs without error and successfully detects/converts formats, it will immediately close. If there is an error, the window will stay open so you can view it.
  5. I'd recommend setting up a hotkey to run it. I use Alt + F2 defined in PhraseExpander, but there are many ways to setup a hotkey to run a program. Call it like this: 
    powershell.exe -sta -file "C:\Path\To\Convert-FMClip.ps1"
    • You may want to add -ExecutionPolicy Bypass to this command, so you don't have to deal with execution policy issues.)
  6. [OPTIONAL] If you don't want the XML to be pretty printed, or if you prefer spaces over tabs, you can modify the Set-Configuration.ps1 file, then run it.
  7. [OPTIONAL] You can run the ConvertAndPaste.vbs script instead if you want to automatically paste after conversion. This script calls Convert-FMClip.ps1 from the same directory, so both files must exist in the same folder. You can call this script directly, like: 
    "C:\Path\To\ConvertAndPaste.vbs"

If you use a Mac, this project isn't for you. You can Find a similar set of scripts written in AppleScript here: https://github.com/DanShockley/FmClipTools .