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 1 | Introducing FileMaker Pro 8
Getting Started tour
You can explore FileMaker Pro through the interactive Getting Started tour. Practice creating,
modifying, and deleting records; and learn about searching for data values and sorting records,
displaying data in charts and reports, and importing and exporting data between files. You'll also
get to know the rich features FileMaker
Pro provides for creating your own custom solutions.
To access the tour, choose Help menu > Product Documentation > Getting Started Tour.
Starter Solutions
FileMaker Pro includes Starter Solutions—pre-designed, customizable solution files for business,
education, and personal purposes—that you can use to quickly get started designing your
FileMaker
Pro solutions. Starter Solutions take advantage of the best new FileMaker Pro features.
Whenever you start creating solutions, check the list of Starter Solutions to see if one is available
that suits your needs.
You can access Starter Solutions when you open files (see “Creating a file using a Starter Solution”
on page 41).
You can find more information, tips, and solution ideas on the FileMaker website at
http://www.filemaker.com.
Suggested reading
Here are some suggestions for using the documentation to help you learn how to do specific tasks
in FileMaker
Pro.
FileMaker Pro overview
With FileMaker Pro you create solutions—one or more files containing database tables, layouts,
scripts, and associated data that together solve one or more specific problems, such as tracking
customers or invoices.
You can create a simple solution consisting of just one table, such as for customer information, or
you can create a complex solution with relationships and multiple tables. For example, a complex
solution relates two tables based on a single common value, such as a serial number or an ID
number.
Type of user Suggested reading
Data entry person Chapter 2, “Using FileMaker Pro,” in this guide
Small business owner or educator
who creates a basic solution to
start, then improves it over time
Chapter 3, “Designing and creating solutions,” in this guide.
As features are added to the solution, refer to Help.
Database administrator 1 All chapters in this guide
1 Help, for information on advanced topics
1 FileMaker ODBC and JDBC Guide and FileMaker SQL Reference
New FileMaker Pro user 1 Installation and New Features Guide for FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro
Advanced
1 All chapters in this guide
User upgrading from a previous
version
1 Installation and New Features Guide for FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro
Advanced
1 Help, for information on converting files from FileMaker Pro 11 and earlier