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Chapter 4 | Working with related tables and files 93
For example:
Another example:
Self-joining relationships
A self-join is a relationship in which both match fields are defined in the same table. Define a self-
join to create relationships between records in the same table. Use a self-join in a portal on a
layout of the current table to display a subset of data that is in the current table, such as all the
employees of each manager.
When you define a self-joining relationship in the relationships graph, FileMaker Pro generates a
second occurrence of the table upon which you are basing the self-join. FileMaker
Pro does this
to prevent the relationships graph from forming a cycle, which would make it impossible to
evaluate the relationship.
This relationship returns related records in Table G when the value in Text Field G1 is the same
as the value in Text Field G2.
Working with the relationships graph
Use the relationships graph to create, change, and view the relationships in your database file.
The relationships graph lets you duplicate tables and relationships, resize and align tables, and
add text notes. You can highlight tables that are connected to the selected table via a 1-away
relationship, and you can highlight tables that have the same source table as the currently
selected table.
By default, the relationships graph displays all of the tables in your current database file. You can
add tables from other FileMaker
Pro files or external ODBC data sources, add more than one
occurrence of the same table to the graph, or remove tables from the graph using the buttons at
the bottom of the graph.
Note When the table is from an external ODBC data source, the name of the table is typeset in
italics in the relationships graph. To display information about the external data source, move the
pointer over the arrow to the left of the table name.
If fields Contain values These related records are returned from Table F
Starting Date E 11/01/2014 11/14/2014
11/27/2014
Ending Date E 12/01/2014
If fields Contain values These related records are returned from Table F
Starting Date E 12/01/2014 12/02/2014
12/15/2014
12/17/2014
12/26/2014
Ending Date E 01/01/2015
Self-joining relationship
Match field
Match field