U.M. (Windows)
Table Of Contents
- Preface: Getting help
- Chapter 1: FileMakerPro basics
- Chapter 2: Creating a database file
- Chapter 3: Laying out and arranging information
- Understanding layouts
- Working with predefined layout types
- Arranging records in columns
- Managing layouts
- Working with layout parts
- Changing layout parts
- Working with all object types
- Working with graphic objects
- Working with fields in a layout
- Adding fields to a layout
- Adding merge fields
- Deleting a field from a layout
- Defining display formats for fields
- Determining data entry in fields
- Setting the tab order for data entry
- Adding scroll bars to fields
- Formatting repeating fields
- Adding borders, fill, and baselines to fields
- Defining value lists
- Formatting fields with value lists
- Working with text
- Chapter 4: Working with information in records
- Working in Browse mode
- Adding data to a file
- Selecting a field for data entry
- Adding and duplicating records
- Entering and changing data in fields
- Working with container fields
- Entering data from a value list
- Viewing and inserting data from another source
- Copying and moving values and records
- Using drag and drop to move information
- Replacing field values
- Working with records
- Finding information
- Deleting records
- Sorting records
- Chapter 5: Using ScriptMaker and buttons
- Chapter 6: Previewing and printing information
- Chapter 7: Networking and access privileges
- Chapter 8: Importing and exporting data
- Chapter 9: Customizing FileMakerPro
- Chapter 10: Using data from related files
- Chapter 11: Publishing files on the Web
- About the World Wide Web
- About FileMaker Pro Web Companion
- Publishing your database on the Web—an overview
- Getting ready to publish your files on the Web
- Setting up FileMaker Pro Web Companion
- Configuring FileMaker Pro Web Companion
- Setting up Instant Web Publishing
- Database security
- Helping Web users find your database
- Custom Web Publishing
- Appendix A: Recovering damaged files
- Appendix B: Working with international files
- Appendix C: Summary of functions
- Appendix D: Linking and embedding objects
- Index
- Quick Reference
Creating a database file 2-25
Changing field definitions
Important Keep the following in mind:
1 Deleting a field from a file in the Define Fields dialog box permanently
and irretrievably deletes the field definition and all the data in that field
in all your records. Before you delete a field from a file, be sure you
don’t need any data the field contains. To delete a field from only a
layout, see “Deleting a field from a layout” on page 3-57.
1 When you change the definition of a field that contains data, the data
in that field could be affected. In addition, changing the field type to
container, calculation, summary, or global erases data permanently
and irretrievably.
1. Open the file you want to change, and choose Define from the File
menu and then choose Fields.
2. In the Define Fields dialog box, make your changes.
3. Click Done.
To Do this
Change a
field name
In the field definitions list, select the field to change. For Field Name,
type or paste the new name, and then click Save. FileMaker Pro also
changes the field name in layouts and field references in formulas.
Duplicate a
field definition
In the field definitions list, select the field to duplicate, and then
click Duplicate. The new field appears at the end of the list with copy
added to the name. You can change the field name.
Change the
field type
In the field definitions list, select the field, select a field type, and
then click Save. (See “Assigning a field type” on page 2-4.)
Change data
entry options
In the field definitions list, double-click the field, and then make
your changes. (See “Choosing data entry options” on page 2-6.)
Change a formula In the field definitions list, double-click the field, and then make
your changes. Once you exit the Define Fields dialog box,
FileMaker Pro recalculates the value for every record in the
database.
Reorder field
definitions
For View by, choose an option from the drop-down list. To define a
custom order, use the double-arrow pointer to the left of a field
definition to drag an item to another location on the list.
(FileMaker Pro uses the order for all dialog boxes and when it
creates Standard and Single-page form layouts.) Reordering field
definitions does not affect existing layouts.
Delete a field from
the file (and from
all layouts that
contain the field)
In the field definitions list, click the field, click Delete, and then click
Delete again.