Quick Start

Table Of Contents

FileMaker Pro basics

Unlike most word processing or spreadsheet programs, FileMaker

Pro saves your work automatically. Consequently, it’s important to

carefully consider your actions when making sweeping changes to

your files, especially when deleting records. Once records are

deleted, they are completely removed from your database.

As you will learn in lesson 11, you should back up your files on a

regular basis. Backups can save you many hours of unnecessary

work and worry in the event that your files become lost or damaged,

or records are inadvertently deleted.

About FileMaker Pro modes

When you work in FileMaker Pro, you work in one of four modes.

1 Use Browse mode to enter data and view records.

1 Use Find mode to locate a record or a group of records quickly.

1 Use Layout mode to specify how information will appear on the

screen or when you print it.

1 Use Preview mode to see what the pages will look like when you

print them.

Once you have opened a database, you can switch from one mode to

another using either the View menu or the mode pop-up menu at the

bottom of the application window. You can also quickly determine

which mode your FileMaker Pro database is using by referring to this

pop-up menu.

For more information

For more information on FileMaker Pro basic concepts, see chapter 1

of the FileMaker Pro User’s Guide.

You can also find specific information about the procedures and

concepts introduced in the following chapters in the FileMaker Pro

Help.

To access FileMaker Pro Help:

Choose Help menu > FileMaker Pro Help.

To see an overview of the FileMaker Pro Help topics:

Choose Help menu > Contents and Index.

Name of layout

Number of the

current record

Browse mode

Fields

Filename