Instant Web Publishing Guide
Table Of Contents
- Chapter 1 About publishing FileMaker Pro databases on the web
- Chapter 2 Publishing your database on the web
- Chapter 3 Working with FileMaker databases on the web
- Chapter 4 Designing a database for Instant Web Publishing
- Tips for designing layouts for Instant Web Publishing
- Tips for working with data in a web browser
- General database design considerations
- Working with graphics, sounds, and movies on the web
- Setting the initial layout and view
- Hiding the status area to customize the interface
- Specifying the sort order for web users
- Scripts and Instant Web Publishing
- Hosting databases with FileMaker Server Advanced: an overview
- Documenting your solution
- Chapter 5 Testing, monitoring, and securing your site
- Index
Chapter 3
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Working with FileMaker databases on the web 25
Differences between FileMaker Pro and Instant Web Publishing
The Instant Web Publishing experience is very similar to using the FileMaker Pro desktop application. Web
users can switch between finding and editing modes, choose layouts and views, and much more.
Benefits to accessing databases with Instant Web Publishing
There are some unique advantages to the Instant Web Publishing feature in FileMaker Pro:
1 You can easily and quickly deploy a solution onto the web with your existing database. You don’t need
to use web authoring tools, write HTML or CSS code, or use other technologies to share your data with
anyone using a compatible web browser.
1 You can access data remotely, whether from a home office or while travelling.
1 By hiding and locking the status area, you can easily deploy a custom, web-based application.
Benefits to accessing databases with FileMaker Pro
Although accessing a database from the web is very similar to FileMaker Pro, it is not as responsive as
accessing a database from a FileMaker
Pro network client:
1 There are no customization features available on the web. Although web users can choose layouts and
different layout views, they cannot add, delete, or modify fields, layouts, scripts, relationships, and so on.
1 Web users cannot directly interact with the hard drive, so import/exporting data, drag and drop, and
automation with OLE, ActiveX, and Apple events will not work.
1 Web users can only enter data in text, number, date, time, or timestamp fields; they cannot enter or
modify container field objects like images, sounds, and QuickTime files.
1 Web users cannot enter data with rich text formatting (RTF).
1 Web users cannot view and print complex, multi-page reports.
1 Web users cannot spell check their data.
1 Web users should only interact with a database from one web browser window.
1 FileMaker Pro keyboard commands are not available for use in a web browser.
1 Tooltips created in FileMaker Pro Advanced that are displayed in a web browser are updated only when
a page is loaded.
Data from a FileMaker layout displayed in a web
browser with Instant Web Publishing
Data displayed in a FileMaker Pro layout