User manual

Working with related files 8-9
5. Determine the relationships between the files. Draw a line from
each match field in the master file to the corresponding match field
in the related file.
What defines a relationship between database files is that their match
fields contain matching data.
Determining relationships between database files shows you where
you can use data that’s stored in one file in another file.
6. Consider who will use the database and whether you want to
restrict access to some files or fields.
For information about setting up passwords and access privileges,
see chapter 9, “Protecting databases with passwords and groups.”
Tip When you use fields that contain identification numbers, plan the
field formats when you plan the database files. For example, client
identification numbers can be telephone numbers, serial numbers, or
a combination of a telephone number and first name.
Creating relational databases: an overview
After you’ve planned your relational database, use these general
instructions to create it. (For detailed instructions, see the next
section, “Defining relationships for relational
databases and lookups” on page 8-10.)
1. Create the database files and define the fields.
2. Define the relationships to use.
3. Depending on whether you want to work with data from one or
more than one related record in each record in the master file, place
one or more related fields directly on the layout or in a portal on the
layout.
1 For a related field by itself, place the related field directly on the
layout.
1 For a related field in a portal, create the portal on the layout, then
place the related field in the portal.
You place related fields and portals in Layout mode, then work with
data from related records in all modes.
Client ID
Street
Postal Code
Client Name
City
Trip ID
Client file
Route file
Trip Name
Trip file
Phone
Route ID
Destination
Origin
Trip ID
Route ID
Destination
Trip Name
Origin
Client ID
Street
Postal Code
Client Name
City
Trip ID
Client file
Route file
Trip Name
Trip file
Phone
Route ID
Destination
Origin
Trip ID
Route ID
Destination
Trip Name
Origin