User manual

Creating databases 39
The Define Database dialog box appears.
FileMaker Pro automatically creates the first table and the first
layout. The table and the layout are given the same name as the file.
To define fields, see the next section.
For more information about creating FileMaker Pro files, see Help.
Defining database fields
To define a new field, you give it a name and select a field type. Then
you select options that determine how the field interprets, enters,
calculates, stores, and displays data. These characteristics make up
the
field definition. See “Setting options for fields” on page 44 for
information on setting these options.
See “Formatting field data on a layout” on page 56 for information
about setting options for field formats, which control how data
appears on a layout.
The following sections describe how to define fields using the Fields
tab in the Define Database dialog box.
About naming fields
Follow these guidelines when naming fields:
1 Field names must be unique. They can contain up to 100
characters.
1 Use descriptive names that clearly identify the contents of the field.
Avoid abbreviations, acronyms, or other terms that may cause
confusion.
1 Don’t use any of the following symbols or words in the field name:
1 , (comma) + – * / ^ & = ≠ > < ≥ ≤ ( ) [ ] " ; (semicolon) : (colon)
:: (relational indicator)
1 AND, OR, XOR, NOT, or the name of any FileMaker Pro
function
1 Don’t begin a field name to be used in a calculation formula with
a space, period (.), or number.
1 Use _ (underscore) in place of a space to avoid restrictions in
ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) or JDBC (Java Database
Connectivity), exporting, web publishing, and other operations.
This field stores only numbers
This field calculates a value based on
another value in the record
(“Discount” is 10% of “Unit Price”)
This field stores multiple values
ET14Product ID
Jacket Product Name
ClothingCategory
BlueColors
$52.50Unit Price
$5.25Discount
Black
These fields store text
Field names
and definitions
Type a name for a
new field
Select a
field type
Click after you type a field
name and select a field type
Choose the way fields are listed in the dialog box
Click to sort by
field name or type