Tutorial

Lesson 4
Creating a database and entering records
In the previous lessons, you saw how to use a simple database with existing data. Now you will create your
own file and add records.
In this lesson you will:
1 create a simple database
1 define fields to hold different types of data
1 create records
1 enter data
1 modify data
1 delete records
1 insert data in a container field
Create a simple database and define fields
About field definitions
You create a field for each category of information you want, such as First Name or City. To find, sort,
calculate, and display data correctly, the field type should match the kind of data it contains (text, number,
date, and so on). For example, you can’t search for text values in a field of type Number.
You will learn about other field types in later lessons.
Create a database
1. Choose File menu > New Database.
2. If you don’t see the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, go to step 3.
If you see the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, click Create Database (if it isn’t already selected), then
select Create an empty database, and click OK.
3. Go to the Tutorial folder and select it as the location for this file.
4. For File name, type MyFile.fp7, and click Save.
The Manage Database dialog box appears. FileMaker Pro creates a table for you in the empty database
with the same name as your file.
You will now create fields in the table that will store information.
5. To create the first field, type First Name in the Field Name box.
Notice that the field type is Text.