User manual

Chapter 3 | Creating databases 54
12. Consider who will use the database and whether you want to restrict access to it. When you
create the database, assign access privileges as needed.
For more information about accounts and privilege sets, see chapter 6, “Protecting databases.”
13. Decide what layouts you need, and plan a separate layout for each task.
For example, create separate layouts for printing labels or envelopes.
For more information about creating layouts, see “Creating layouts and reports” on page 71.
14. Create a form such as the one shown below to list the files and tables you need and the fields
for each table. Also list the forms and reports you will generate from each table.
15. Create your database.
16. If you’ve designed the database for others to use, ask a few people to test it. Then, fix any
problems they found before you make the database available for everyone to use.
Creating a FileMaker Pro file
You can create a file from a FileMaker Pro Starter Solution, or template—a predefined database
file that you can modify to suit your needs. Or, you can create a file without using a template.
You can also create a file by making a copy of an existing FileMaker Pro file. See “Saving files” on
page 19.
Creating a file using a Starter Solution
1. Choose File menu > New From Starter Solution.
You can also use the FileMaker Quick Start Screen to create files. Choose Help menu > Quick
Start Screen, then click Use a Starter Solution.
2. Select All Solutions to view a list of all available solution files, or choose a solution category to
narrow the list of choices.
If the FileMaker Quick Start Screen appears but there are no FileMaker Pro Starter Solutions
displayed in it, the Starter Solutions weren’t installed. For more information, see Help.
Sample Database Design Form
Project Name
Purpose of this database
Filename for this database
Table name
Field name Field type Comments
Layouts
Table name
Field name Field type Comments
Name Purpose Screen Print Web