Help

Creating and managing layouts and reports
F
ILEMAKER PRO HELP 250
• The value of a merge variable uses the attributes of the text block it is inserted into (or the
layout’s default text attributes, if the merge variable was inserted onto the layout by itself).
To change the text attributes of merge values, select the entire merge variable in Layout
mode (including the <<, $$, and >> symbols), then select text formatting options. For more
information, see
Formatting text.
• In Browse mode and Preview modes, a text block displays and prints only as much text as
will fit within its dimensions. Because merge variables can display a variable amount of
data, the contents of a text block may be clipped and may not appear in its entirety. If
necessary, resize the text block to display all of the text. For information on resizing text
blocks, see
Resizing and reshaping objects.
• You can also use a merge field to display data. See Placing merge fields on a layout.
Related topics
Creating scripts to automate tasks
Using buttons with scripts
Drawing lines and other shapes
Use the layout tools in the status toolbar to draw lines, rectangles, rounded rectangles, and ovals.
You can create squares, circles, or horizontal/vertical lines by holding down the a modifier key on
the keyboard as you create objects.
To create a line, rectangle, rounded rectangle, or oval:
1. In Layout mode, click the Line tool , Rectangle tool , Rounded Rectangle tool
, or Oval tool .
See Working with the layout tools.
2. Position the crosshair pointer on the layout where you want the line or object to begin.
3. Click and drag the crosshair pointer until the object is the size that you want.
To create an object that is constrained to a certain angle or shape, do one of the following:
FileMaker Pro draws the object with the theme’s default line style and fill. You can change these
attributes after you draw the object. See Selecting and working with objects on a layout.
To create a dotted or dashed line or border, see Setting the fill, line style, and borders for
objects, layout parts, and the layout background.
To create a Use this tool And press
Horizontal or
vertical line
Line tool Shift as you draw the line
Diagonal line (at
45 degrees)
Line tool Ctrl (Windows) or Option (OS X) as you draw the line
Square Rectangle tool Ctrl (Windows) or Option (OS X) as you draw the square
Rounded square Rounded
Rectangle tool
Ctrl (Windows) or Option (OS X) as you draw the rounded
square
Circle Oval tool Ctrl (Windows) or Option (OS X) as you draw the circle