Button bars in FileMaker — segmented controls

Intermediate

Use the Button Bar object (FileMaker 14+) to create multi-segment controls where each segment has its own icon, label, and script action.

What you'll learn

How to add and configure a Button Bar object
How to assign scripts and icons to individual segments
How to highlight the active segment based on state

Button bars (FileMaker 14+) are native segmented controls where each segment is independently configured with its own script, icon, and label — far easier to maintain than manually aligned individual buttons.

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Add a Button Bar

In Layout mode, choose Insert > Button Bar. A three-segment bar appears. Double-click to configure the segments. Each segment can have a label, icon, and a script with an optional parameter.

TEXT

Example button bar segments:
  Segment 1: "Details"  icon: list    → Perform Script "Navigate" ; param: "details"
  Segment 2: "Invoices" icon: receipt  → Perform Script "Navigate" ; param: "invoices"
  Segment 3: "Notes"    icon: note     → Perform Script "Navigate" ; param: "notes"

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