User manual

22 FileMaker Pro User’s Guide
Entering data
Note If a file is locked or write-protected, or if you don’t have
privileges to edit certain records or fields, you may not be able to
modify data.
Selecting a field
Entering and changing data in fields
You can enter or import data up to the character limit for the field type.
You can view and print only the data that fits within the field
boundaries.
To Do this in Browse or Find mode
Select a field Click in the field.
Select the contents of a
field
Select the field, then choose Edit menu > Select All.
Move to the next field in
the tab order
Press Tab.
Note To set the Return or Enter key(s) to move to the
next field, in Layout mode, select the fields, then
choose Format menu > Field/Control > Behavior.
Buttons and tab controls can be included in the tab
order. Fields on tab panels that are not in front are
skipped.
Move to the previous
field in the tab order
Press Shift-Tab (or Shift-Return or Shift-Enter, if
enabled).
Move to items in a value
list
Press the arrow keys.
To Click in the field in Browse mode, then
Enter data in a text field Type the text (up to 1 billion characters).
Note In a field set up to auto-complete, you
see suggestions based on what you type.
Enter data in a number field Type the values (from 10
400
to 10
-400
).
Enter data in a date field Type one date on one line in the field. Type the
day, month, and year as numbers (for example,
3/3/2005), separated by a nonnumeric
character like – (minus) or / (forward slash).
Note You cannot use a : (colon) as a date
separator.
Important If you enter dates with two-digit
years, FileMaker Pro converts them to four-
digit year dates using a conversion method
described in Help. To avoid misinterpretations
during conversion, always enter dates with
four-digit years.
Enter the current date in a date,
number, or text field
Choose Insert menu > Current Date.
Select the date using the drop-down calendar,
if available.