Hi All,
FMP Adv v8.0 v3, mac OSX.4.9 (intel iMac24)

here is a simple scenario; the object is to rename a file pair, and
replace one of them (data) with a file of the same name. FileMaker
appears to completely fall over regarding this; I am missing something
it seems. I have tested multiple variations, and even as a very simple
model as below, can not get a working method. For user files that are
frequently updated, having to resort to importing 30 data tables every
update is an option I wish to avoid.

Drag and drop replace of an updated user file, into a solution, has
normally been routine; countless times. The pair of solutions that
prompted this though, has been generating problems with updating the
user file (renaming mandatory, 2 editions, different directories), so
the alternative is to replicate and rename the update pair, treating the
carry over data file as redundant, then replace the data file with the
real working edition. Replacing a data file, with the requirement to
rename, seems to be a different issue.

the simplest model:
1. directory A, 2 files:
user
data

file data has a single table (dataTBL), and a single global (g_F) with
auto enter one, and a single record.

add File reference in user to data using the default entered relative path:
file:data.fp7
add related data field g_F to user layout


2. create a new directory B, same level as directory A, tehn create a
new data file dataB identical to data (create from scratch is required;
this is essentially the existing data in the real world installation)
save a copy of user into directory B as userB
open and 'locate' the file as requested, redefine the file ref to dataB.
the related field has lost its reference, as has the dataTOC in user


I have also tried
a)define additional file ref in user for data, to give:
filemac:/Macintosh HD/Users/corticalsolutions/Desktop/A/data.fp7
filemac:/Macintosh HD/Users/corticalsolutions/Desktop/B/dataB.fp7
before doing the copy, then deleting the then extraneous reference, and
countless variations on the theme.
no variation yet, has picked up the rel correctly.

b)duplicating the existing directory A, rename the directory, rename the
files
repoint the file ref at the raised dialogue, then redefine the actual
file ref, maintains the path, even once the file is closed and reopened.
quit FM
replace the dataB with the required (identical) dataB; relationship is
dropped...

Dropping a same name file into an existing directory, normally works.
Having to change names of both files is generating the problem.
The default relative path is file:data.fp7 , even though the annotation
in the File Reference window states format to use is file:/directory
name/filename. I have tried variations on this too.

Any suggestions, or is import my only option?


regards

Chris