Using a reserved word or symbol for a field or table name

When you define tables, fields, and formulas, FileMaker Pro reserves the use of some words and symbols, including:

  • The names of functions that have no arguments such as Pi or Random.

  • Named constants used in parameters of some functions (such as JSONObject in the JSONSetElement function) and other special keywords. See Named constants and other special keywords.

  • Operators and some symbols. See About naming fields for some guidelines.

Avoid using these words and symbols in field names and table names, because the names become difficult to refer to in calculations.

If one of your field names or table names is a reserved word or contains reserved symbol, you must put the characters ${ } around the name when it appears in a function.

Tip  When you double-click to choose a field for a calculation, FileMaker Pro automatically wraps the characters ${ } around field names that are reserved words or that contain reserved symbols.

Examples

${A + B} returns the contents of a field named A + B.

${.123} returns the contents of a field named .123.

${Pi} returns the contents of a field named Pi.

Note  During file conversion, FileMaker Pro uses the characters ${ } to enclose field names that conflict with reserved words and symbols.

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