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Creating a database
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ILEMAKER PRO HELP 173
When you save a FileMaker Pro file as a self-contained copy, container data that is stored as a file
reference, as well as externally stored data, is embedded in container fields in the copy. See
Saving
and copying files.
You can use the GetContainerAttribute function to track how the contents of a container field are
stored and how much storage space it uses. This function also returns metadata about a container
field’s contents, such as the height and width of images, photo orientation, cover art of audio
contents, bar code type, and signature timestamps.
You can make a container field interactive to optimize the field for content such as audio, video, or
PDF files. See Specifying formats for container fields.
Notes
• After you define a container field, you can make the field larger in Layout mode.
• You can't find or sort records based on a container field, but you can define a text field to
describe or identify the contents of the container. Then, you can find or sort records based
on the information in the text field.
• To specify how data in a container field displays (for example, whether the image is cropped
or scaled), see
Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout mode.
• FileMaker Pro uses the orientation attribute set by many cameras to display photographs
right side up in container fields. See
Inserting graphics into container fields.
• To put a static graphic (like a logo) on a layout, create, paste, or import the graphic directly
onto the layout, or use a
global container field. Either option will use less storage space than
storing the same graphic with every record.
• You can create a script that includes the Insert File script step to specify the contents of a
container field.
• When externally stored container data is hosted on FileMaker Server, the data can be
located on a different volume from the databases, including on network attached storage.
For more information, see FileMaker
Server Help.
Related topics
About defining database fields
About setting up container fields
Using data in container fields
Deleting data from container fields
Creating file paths
Defining calculation fields
Use calculation fields to perform calculations on the following types of data: text, number, date, time,
or container.
The data in a calculation field is the result of a formula that you specify. The result can be one of
these types of data: text, number, date, time, or container.
To define calculation fields:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.