User manual

8-10 FileMaker Pro User’s Guide
Important After you create the files for a relational database or a
lookup, be sure there are no other files with the same filenames on
your computer or network. To duplicate the files or create similar
filenames, duplicate each file separately (which creates a unique
name for each copy). Store backup files on a removable disk, and
remove the disk. Use a compression or archiving utility to make the
files unavailable as FileMaker Pro files.
Defining relationships for relational
databases and lookups
You can define a relationship for a relational database or a lookup
wherever you see the relationship list. For example, define a
relationship when you create a file or layout, define a lookup, add a
related field, or create a portal on a layout. (For a description of the
relationship list, see “When to create relationships between files” on
page 12-4.)
When you define a relationship, you can also define a sort order for
the related fields. Do so to access and display the first related record
that’s in a particular sort order (such as the lowest or highest value)
when you have one related field placed directly on the layout. For
example, display the most recent check-out date for a particular piece
of equipment. Also sort related records to access and display
multiple records in a particular sort order in a portal.
To define relationships between files:
1. In the master file, choose File menu > Define Relationships. Or,
choose Define Relationships from the relationship list.
2. In the Define Relationships dialog box, click New.
Relationships currently defined in the master file
3. In the dialog box that appears, double-click the name of the related
file (the file to define a relationship to).
4. In the Edit Relationship dialog box, for Relationship Name, type a
unique name for the relationship, or keep the default that
FileMaker Pro provides.
Don’t include colons (:) in the name. FileMaker Pro ignores any
spaces at the end of names.
To change the related file, click Specify File, then choose a different
filename. (See “Changing relationships” on page 12-12.)
5. Select a match field for the master (current) file in the left list, and
a match field for the related file in the right list. Click each field name
once to select it.