Spaces in FileMaker Variable Names

December 5, 2010 / By: Todd Geist

I just came across an interesting little FileMaker quirk.  The “Set Variable” script step does not allow you to begin the variable name with a space. But you can declare variables with the Let Statement can also declare variables and they can start with a Space.

For example:

If you try to use the “Set Variable” script step to declare this variable “$$ StartedWithSpace”, it will not let you.  However if you evaluate the following Let Statement:

Let(
[
   $$ StartedWithSpace = "this will work"
];
   0
)

It will work just fine.

While this is strange, I am not sure that it useful. In fact my gut tells me it is a bad idea to have variable names start with a space. So I am going to avoid them.

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