User manual

Chapter 3 | Creating databases 71
3. In the Table Name box, type a name for the table, then click Create.
The table can be renamed or deleted. Tables you add to a file are automatically displayed in
the relationships graph.
4. Continue to define tables, or click the Fields tab to define fields.
For information about relationships, tables, and the relationships graph, see chapter 4, “Working
with related tables and files.”
Creating layouts and reports
FileMaker Pro layouts determine how information is organized for viewing, printing, reporting,
finding, and entering data. Layouts don’t store your data—they just display it. Layouts are
sometimes called reports, especially when printed.
You can create as many layouts as you need for a file (for example, layouts for entering data,
reporting summaries, or printing mailing labels). You can change a layout’s design without
affecting the data or other layouts for the file. Layouts can include certain fields and exclude
others.When you change the data in a field (in Browse mode), the changes are reflected in the
same field for the same record on all the layouts in the file.
When you create a database file (without using one of the database template files shipped with
FileMaker
Pro), FileMaker Pro automatically creates a layout for the initial table in the file, and for
each newly added table that contains fields.
Tab controls are a useful way of organizing data. For example, in a personnel database, you could
create tab panels for the employee’s photo, job description, and financial information. To create a
tab control, in Layout mode, choose Insert menu
> Tab Control or click the Tab Control tool. For
more information, see Help.
Fields: use for entering
and displaying data
Layout pop-up menu
Mode pop-up menu
Buttons: use to automate
frequent tasks
Layout text: use for titles,
column headings, field
labels, instructions, and
form letters
Parts: use headers,
footers, the body, and
summaries to divide a
layout into special
purpose areas