Run a file from a path?

[Josef Senti]

Is there a way to run a file from a path in a field using script?

I try to make a movie database. In a table I have a field with the path to the MP4 or ISO file.
Is there a way to write a script that can make that file run with VLC Player when I press a shortcut or a button or whatever is possible?

[Daniel Leu]

Using a script:
You can use Utils.openUrl(url); to open an external file. Use following scheme to set an url to point to a file on your disk: url="file:///Users/daniel/Desktop/song.mp4".

This will open the file in the predefined handler for that file type. This script can be assigned to a button when using

Using a website field:
You can assign the path using the url format shown above. When clicking on the globe, the file will be opened in the handler for that file type.

So for both cases, you must make certain that the VLC Player is the default player for your iso and mp4 files. If this is not practical, it might be possible to use the VLC url scheme: url="vlc-x-callback://x-callback-url/stream?url=file:///Users/daniel/Desktop/song.mp4"

[Josef Senti]

Thank you!!

I have all the series in a table, like in the image attached. Where do I put the script and haw can I call the path in that script from the selected row?

Sorry, I’m all new to this ;)

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[Josef Senti]

Got it to run!!

In website field I had to enter file:///Users/daniel/Desktop/song.mp4 and give the permission to the external drive.

Thank you again Daniel ;)

[Daniel Leu]

Based on something I already have and use, I propose following:

I’m using a checkmark field to trigger the opening action of a PDF file. You can use the same code to trigger opening your video.

Add two fields to your table, the checkmark field called Open and a script field (use a meaningful name). For usability, place the Open field in the first column. You can hide the script field.

Here is the script code. You have to update the open_id and link_id constants to contain the IDs of the Open field and the Pfad field.

function Attachment_Open() {

	const open_id = 'fld-xxx'; // id of the newly created checkmark field
	const link_id = 'fld-xxx'; // id of your Pfad field

	let open = record.getFieldValue(open_id);
	let link = record.getFieldValue(link_id);
	
	if (link && open){
		console.log("Opening URL " + link);
		
		link = "file://" + link.replace(/[ ]/g, '\ ')
		console.log("Opening URL " + link);

		Utils.openUrl(link);

		// clear opening flag
		record.setFieldValue(open_id, false)
		form.saveAllChanges()
	}
}

Attachment_Open();

Now, when you click on the Open checkmark, VLC should open your video.

In case it doesn’t work, please open the console and then click on the Open checkmark of one of your videos. Then report the console output.

Good luck!

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