User manual

Table Of Contents
Chapter 2 | Using databases 21
About modes
You work with data in FileMaker Pro in Browse, Find, Layout, or Preview mode. You can choose a
mode from the View menu or from the mode pop-up menu at the bottom of the document window.
Using the status toolbar
The status toolbar provides quick access to many FileMaker Pro menu commands. In all modes,
it includes navigation tools, customizable buttons, and a layout bar for working with layouts. In
Layout mode, it includes layout tools. Move the pointer over a button to see its description. You
can also switch modes by clicking buttons in the status toolbar. The buttons in the status toolbar
vary depending on which mode you’re in.
In Layout mode, you can also use the Inspector when you format and edit objects on a layout. For
more information, see
“Using the Inspector to format objects” on page 80.
For more information about using the status toolbar, see Help.
Viewing records
FileMaker Pro provides three views of each layout: form, list, and table. When you change views,
you temporarily change the way records display or print.
Use this mode To
Browse mode Work with the data in a file. You can add, view, change, sort, omit (hide), and delete records.
Browse mode is where you’ll do most of your work, such as data entry.
Find mode Search for particular records that match a set of criteria. You can then work with this subset
of your records, called the found set. After you find a group of records, FileMaker Pro returns
to Browse mode so you can begin working with them.
Layout mode Determine how information is presented on your screen or in printed reports, labels, and
forms. Design layouts for specific tasks, like data entry or printing invoices or envelopes.
Select and arrange fields and other objects to modify an existing layout or create new layouts.
Preview mode See how data in forms or reports will look before you print. Preview mode is especially useful
for viewing layouts with multiple columns (like mailing labels) and reports with summaries.
Mode pop-up menu
Status toolbar
Layout bar
Formatting bar
To view records Do this in Browse mode or Find mode
Individually Choose View menu > View as Form, or click Form View in the layout bar.
In a list Choose View menu > View as List, or click List View in the layout bar.
In a spreadsheet-like table Choose View menu > View as Table, or click Table View in the layout bar.
Each row displays a record, and each column displays a field.
For information about working with data in a spreadsheet-like table, see “Working
with data in Table View” on page 28.