Tutorial

Lesson 1
FileMaker Pro basics
Welcome to the FileMaker
®
Pro tutorial. This tutorial shows
you how you can manage your information in FileMaker Pro.
You will learn how to use FileMaker Pro software to:
1 locate and sort information
1 create and enter records in a simple database
1 create mailing labels
1 create calculations, buttons, and scripts
1 create and run reports
1 create relationships between FileMaker Pro database tables
It takes approximately four hours to complete this tutorial, which
can be done in one session or several shorter sessions.
How to use this tutorial
These lessons are based on the membership database of a fictitious
travel firm, The Corporate Travelers Club. Corporate travelers who
are members of this club save their businesses money on travel costs,
and the club’s expenses are offset by an annual membership fee.
FileMaker Pro is used to track the members’ names, addresses,
and membership status, as well as to generate labels and form letters
to contact members.
It’s best to complete these lessons sequentially, as the concepts
introduced in early lessons are assumed to be understood in
later lessons. However, because the lessons are self-contained,
it’s possible to skip lessons entirely, or to complete them later
if desired.
This tutorial assumes that you are familiar with your computer’s
operating system. Opening files, locating folders, and other activities
that require some knowledge of your computer’s OS are a necessary
part of completing this tutorial.
Files included with this tutorial are intended to illustrate the features
of FileMaker Pro, and as such, might be unsuitable for use as
templates for further development.
We begin with a demonstration
To show you the goal of each lesson up front, we guide you through
a sample file that illustrates a feature or concept. This way, you
will always know a lesson’s objectives.
We explain how it works
As we introduce new techniques and concepts, we will explain
how to use them in other situations.
You build the structures
Because using FileMaker Pro is the most effective way to learn
the application, each lesson features a hands-on activity designed
to guide you through menus, screens, and concepts step by step.
Where to find the lesson files
If the tutorial files were installed, they are in:
FileMaker Pro 8.5\English Extras\Tutorial
You can also download the tutorial files by choosing Help menu >
Learning Center. In the Documentation area, click tutorial files.