User manual

Table Of Contents
Chapter 3 | Designing and creating solutions 54
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 file (without using a Starter Solution), FileMaker Pro automatically creates a
layout for the initial table in the file, and for each newly added table that contains fields.
You create additional layouts by switching to Layout mode and using the New Layout/Report
assistant, which guides you through creating a layout according to options you choose. Use the
different layout types for various purposes, like displaying a data entry screen or printing a totaled
sales report or mailing labels. You can then customize each layout by using the design tools that
are available in Layout mode.
Important FileMaker Pro considers the selected device, printer, and print or page setup
information when it calculates margins and other measurements on the layout. Printer and print
settings depend on the printer and system software you’re using. Refer to your printer and system
documentation for more information
.
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 navigation
parts, headers, footers, the
body, and summaries to
divide a layout into
special-purpose areas