U.M. (Windows)

Creating a database file 2-5
Keep these points in mind:
1 Because they often include non-numeric characters like hyphens or
parentheses, define postal codes and telephone numbers as text fields,
not number fields.
1 You can’t search or sort records based on container fields, but you can
define text fields to describe or identify them. Then search and sort
based on the description or identifying number of the field’s value.
1 You can change the way data is displayed in text, number, date, and
time fields. See “Defining display formats for fields” on page 3-58.
Date Dates only. A date field must include at least the day and month portion
(dd and mm) of a date. If you enter no year, and have not typed a separator
character for a year, FileMaker Pro enters the current year for you. You
can sort records based on a date field and use date fields in formulas for
calculation and summary fields. Date fields are sorted chronologically
(from earliest to latest or latest to earliest).
Time Times only. A time field can contain only the hours, minutes, or seconds
portion (hh, mm, and ss) of a time. You can sort records based on a time field
and use time fields in formulas for calculation and summary fields. Time
fields are sorted chronologically (from earliest to latest or latest to earliest).
Container A graphic, sound, QuickTime movie, or OLE object. You enter data in a
container field in different ways, depending on the type of data. Container
fields can be used in calculation fields and summary fields. See “Working
with container fields” on page 4-6.
Calculation The result of a calculation formula that uses field values from the current
record or related records. The formula can use values of all field types.
The result can be text, a number, date, time, or container. See
“Understanding formulas” on page 2-13.
Summary A value that’s produced by summarizing field values from more than one
record in the same file. See “Defining summary fields” on page 2-23.
Global One value to be used in all records of the file. A global field can be text,
number, date, time, or container. Use the value of a global field in
calculations and scripts. You can’t use a global field to find records. See
“Defining global fields” on page 2-9.
Select this
field type If the field’s data will be