User manual
Table Of Contents
- Preface Introducing FileMaker Pro
- Chapter 1 Using databases
- About database fields and records
- Opening files
- Opening multiple windows per file
- Closing windows and files
- Saving files
- About modes
- Viewing records
- Adding and duplicating records
- Deleting records
- Entering data
- Finding records
- Making a find request
- Performing quick finds based on data in one field
- Finding text and characters
- Finding numbers, dates, times, and timestamps
- Finding ranges of information
- Finding data in related fields
- Finding empty or non-empty fields
- Finding duplicate values
- Finding records that match multiple criteria
- Finding records except those matching criteria
- Deleting and reverting requests
- Viewing, repeating, or changing the last find
- Hiding records from a found set and viewing hidden records
- Finding and replacing data
- Sorting records
- Previewing and printing databases
- Automating tasks with scripts
- Backing up database files
- Setting preferences
- Chapter 2 Creating databases
- Chapter 3 Working with related tables and files
- Chapter 4 Sharing and exchanging data
- Sharing databases on a network
- Importing and exporting data
- Saving and sending data in other formats
- Sending email messages based on record data
- Supported import/export file formats
- ODBC and JDBC
- Methods of importing data into an existing file
- About adding records
- About updating existing records
- About updating matching records
- About the importing process
- Converting a data file to a new FileMaker Pro file
- About the exporting process
- Publishing databases on the web
- Chapter 5 Protecting databases with accounts and privilege sets
- Chapter 6 Converting FileMaker databases from previous versions
- Index
Chapter 1
Using databases
This chapter explains the basics of how to:
1 open, close, and save files
1 create records in a database
1 add and edit data in fields
1 find records using different criteria
1 omit records from the found set
1 find and replace data
1 sort data
1 print data, scripts, table and field information, and the
relationships graph
1 use scripts
Note See Help for detailed, comprehensive information and step-by-
step procedures about using FileMaker Pro.
About database fields and records
A database is a collection of information, or data, that you can
organize, update, sort, search through, and print as needed. Your own
address book or filing cabinet is an example of a simple database. With
the address book and filing cabinet, you store similar pieces of
information organized for easy retrieval.
With a filing cabinet, you must choose a way to sort your data, for
example, alphabetically by last name or by region. By storing contacts
and addresses in FileMaker
Pro, you can organize your information in
many ways. You can sort your information by country, city, last name,
or even sort by all three of these fields.
An invoicing system is an example of a more complex database, with
multiple related tables, multiple layouts, and calculated fields.
You can also view a subset of your data, for example, only invoices for
a particular month. A database doesn’t just hold information—you use
a database to organize and analyze information so that you understand
its significance.
Fields are the basis of a database table. Fields are used to store,
calculate, and display the data you enter into a
record. Each piece of
information in a record—like name, ID number, and telephone
number—is stored in a field.
A database table contains one or more records. Each record contains
fields that hold similar information about one subject or activity. For
example, the fields on a record in the Clients table contain address
information for one client.
A database can consist of one file with one table, which might hold the
names, addresses, and telephone and fax numbers of all your clients.
B C
Michelle Cannon
123 4th St. SW
Edmonton
(717) 555-0011
CAN
N4V 1LN
Records
Fields
Your address book is like a database