User manual

6-22 FileMaker Pro User’s Guide
1 In Layout mode, to set default field attributes from the attributes of
an existing field (for example, to specify that all new text fields you
place have text attributes that match an existing field or all new
number fields you place have number formats that match an existing
field), Ctrl-click (Window) or 2-click (Mac OS) the existing field.
Specifying text formats for fields
In Layout mode, you can specify a set of text character attributes for
each type of field. All the characters in that instance of the field
(including all repetitions of repeating fields) share the same font,
size, style, color, line spacing, tab, and paragraph settings.
Note You can format characters in text fields in Browse mode (for
example, italicize or underline a word for emphasis). Unlike text
formatting specified in Layout mode, this formatting is stored with
the data, and you see it in any layout that displays that field.
1. In Layout mode, select one or more fields, then choose Format
menu > Text.
If no fields are selected or you’ve just placed a field and it’s still
selected, you will set text formats for that field and for fields you
place later.
2. In the Text Format dialog box, select options, then click OK.
For more complete information, see “Formatting text” on page 7-12.
Keep these points in mind:
1 You can also format text (not in a field) on a layout. See
“Formatting text” on page 7-12.
1 Use the Text Formatting toolbar (choose View menu > Toolbars >
Text Formatting) or context menus for quick access to many text
attributes. See “Using toolbars” on page 1-5 and “Using context
menus” on page 1-5.
Specifying formats for fields containing numbers
You can control how FileMaker Pro displays the values in number
fields, calculation fields with numeric results, summary fields, and
global fields defined as Number.
1. In Layout mode, select one or more fields that display numeric
values.
2. Choose Format menu > Number.
3. In the Number Format dialog box, select the formats you want to
use.
You see examples of the options you choose in the Sample area.
Choose text
attributes
Select one or
more styles
Define the symbols
for thousands and
decimal separators
Specify font, style, size, line
spacing, alignment, and color
Choose options
for Boolean or
decimal numbers
Set options
for negative
values