Tutorial

26 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
You use Layout mode to customize the appearance of your data.
Although the data is still in the file, you do not see it here. Instead,
you see the names of the fields.
About layouts and tables
Each layout is based on a single table, and shows records from that
table. If your file contains only one table, all layouts in your file will
be based on that table. If your file contains more than one table, you
must choose which table your layout will use at the time you create
the layout, although you can change this later if necessary.
The table you choose as the basis for your layout is important
because it determines which fields and records are available for use
on that layout. Fields and records that are not stored in the current
table can still be used, but must be accessed through relationships.
For more information on relationships, see
lesson 10, “Making
databases relational.”
About customizing layouts
Design layouts in Layout mode. You can include any combination of
fields, text, and graphics on a layout. You can change the font and
color of fields and text. You can also change the formatting of
Number or Date fields.
Changes you make in Layout mode affect only the way data appears.
The data itself remains as it was entered.
Tip Leave the sample file open to refer to as you build these features
in the working file.
Customize a layout
You will change a simple layout in this lesson’s working file to make
it look like the Fee Information layout in the sample file.
1. Open the Tutorial folder on your hard drive.
2. Open the Working Files folder.
3. Open MyFile05.fp7.
4. Choose View menu > Layout Mode.
5. Choose Fee Information from the Layout pop-up menu.
You see a plain layout. You will modify this layout in different ways
in the following sections.
Resize, move, and add a field
Select and resize a field
1. In Layout mode, click the First Name field to select it.
2. Drag the handle at the lower-right corner of the field to the left
until the field is smaller, yet large enough to display the longest first
name you expect in your file.
3. Choose View menu > Browse Mode.
4. Click Save to save changes to this layout, if prompted.
FileMaker Pro can save layout changes automatically, or prompt you
to save changes before leaving Layout mode. To save layout changes
automatically, select the
Save layout changes automatically checkbox
in the
Save changes to this layout dialog box.
5. In Browse mode, flip through the records.
If the field doesn’t display all names completely, return to Layout
mode and make the field larger.
6. Repeat this process for Last Name.
Move a field
1. Choose View menu > Layout Mode.
2. Click inside the Last Name field and drag it beside the First Name
field.
Click and drag the
handle to resize
C
lick to select