User manual

Table Of Contents
Chapter 3 | Creating databases 82
Allowing objects to resize or move on the layout
When layout objects are set to resize, they maintain a constant distance from the object to which
they are anchored. This allows objects to move, expand, or contract when the FileMaker
Pro
window is resized.
Anchor points are either the layout margin or the container margin in which an object resides. By
default, objects are anchored on both the top and left sides of the layout or page.
To allow objects to resize or move when the FileMaker Pro window is resized:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more objects on the layout.
For more information, see “Selecting objects” on page 84.
2. Click Inspector in the layout bar, then click Position.
3. In the Autosizing area, select the line that indicates the side of the object that you want
anchored to the layout or container.
Note Objects located in containers on layouts (such as fields located in tab panels or portals) do
not inherit resize settings from their container.
Important Multiple objects positioned side-by-side or stacked vertically and anchored to both left
and right margins or both top and bottom margins move or resize relative to the window or
container margin, not each other. Therefore, adjacent objects will not maintain a relative distance
from one another and may overlap when the window is resized.
For more information about setting objects to resize, see Help.
Using tools to precisely position objects
FileMaker Pro provides several tools to help you precisely create, size, reshape, move, and
position objects in Layout mode.
Rulers
Showing the rulers displays a horizontal and vertical ruler along the edge of a layout. Guide lines
on each ruler track the position of the pointer as you move the pointer on the layout.
1 To show the rulers, in Layout mode, choose View menu > Rulers.
1 To hide the rulers, choose View menu > Rulers again.
Grid
Showing the grid displays a series of nonprinting intersecting horizontal and vertical lines. The grid
aligns objects you create, resize, move, or position. Objects “snap to” the grid to help you create
and edit objects more precisely. Gridlines adjust when you change the unit of measure.
Select the line for the
side of the object you
want anchored