User manual
Table Of Contents
- Contents
- Chapter 1 Introducing FileMaker Pro
- Chapter 2 Using FileMaker Pro
- About fields and records
- Opening and closing files
- Opening multiple windows per file
- Saving files
- About modes
- Viewing records
- Adding and duplicating records
- Deleting records
- Entering data
- Working with data in Table View
- Finding records
- Sorting records
- Previewing and printing files
- Backing up files
- Setting preferences
- Chapter 3 Designing and creating solutions
- Planning a solution
- Creating a FileMaker Pro file
- Creating and changing fields
- Setting options for fields
- Creating database tables
- Creating layouts and reports
- Working with layout themes
- Working with layout object, part, and background styles
- Setting up a layout to print records in columns
- Working with objects on a layout
- Working with fields on a layout
- Working with layout parts
- Creating and editing charts
- Chapter 4 Working with related tables and files
- Chapter 5 Sharing data
- Sharing databases on a network
- Importing and exporting data
- Supported import/export file formats
- Setting up recurring imports
- ODBC and JDBC
- Methods of importing data into an existing file
- About adding records
- About updating existing records
- About updating matching records
- About the importing process
- Converting a data file to a new FileMaker Pro file
- About the exporting process
- Working with external data sources
- Publishing solutions on the web
- Chapter 6 Protecting files
- Protecting databases with accounts and privilege sets
- Creating accounts and privilege sets
- Viewing extended privileges
- Authorizing access to files
- Security measures
- Enhancing physical security
- Enhancing operating system security
- Establishing network security
- Backing up databases and other important files
- Installing, running, and upgrading antivirus software
- Chapter 7 Using FileMaker Pro Advanced
- Index
Chapter 2
Using FileMaker Pro
This chapter explains the basics of how to:
1 open, close, and save files
1 create records in a file
1 add and edit data in fields
1 find records using different criteria
1 omit records from the found set
1 find and replace data
1 sort data
1 print data, scripts, table and field information, and the relationships graph
1 use scripts
See Help for detailed, comprehensive information and step-by-step procedures about using
FileMaker
Pro.
Note Some procedures refer to using a shortcut menu. To display a shortcut menu (context
menu), right-click or Control-click an object or area to see a list of commands.
About fields and records
A FileMaker Pro solution is made up of one or more database files. Unlike an electronic
spreadsheet, which is used to tabulate and calculate data stored in the cells of a rectangular table,
a database file ties together the information (data) by a schema that describes the organization of
database tables, their fields, and the relationships between the fields and tables. With
FileMaker
Pro, you can organize, update, sort, search through, calculate, and print the data in the
fields and tables as needed.
While spreadsheets are best used for tasks such as maintaining a business ledger, where data
needs to be recorded and calculated, databases are best for tasks such as inventory control,
where you need to track consumption and losses and generate reports on inventory status over
time. An inventory database can sort and report on inventory information in many ways, allowing
you to analyze data by item type, by sales figures, by monthly consumption, and so on.
Your own address book or filing cabinet is an example of a simple database. With the address
book and filing cabinet, you store similar pieces of information organized for easy retrieval. With
a filing cabinet, you must choose a way to sort your data, for example, alphabetically by last name
or by region. By storing contacts and addresses in FileMaker
Pro, you can organize your
information in many ways. You can sort your information by country, city, last name, or even sort
by all three of these fields.