User manual

Chapter 2
|
Creating databases 67
Allowing or preventing entry into fields
You can allow or prevent entry into a field. For example, you can
restrict entry into a field containing a
serialized number, so the field
can’t be modified. You can set separate Browse mode and Find mode
data entry options, which would allow you to permit finding serialized
numbers even though they can’t be entered.
If you allow entry into a field, you can also control whether the entire
contents of the field is selected when you click or tab into the field in
Browse mode or Find mode. Otherwise, FileMaker Pro places the
insertion point after the last character in the field.
1. In Layout mode, select one or more fields.
2. Choose Format menu > Field/Control > Behavior.
3. In the Field Behavior dialog box, select the options you want to
use.
4. Click OK.
For more information about working with fields on a layout, see Help.
Working with parts on a layout
FileMaker Pro layouts are divided into layout parts, sections of the
layout that determine how data in a field is treated and displayed. By
using parts, you can control how FileMaker
Pro prints data, for
example:
1 once for each record
1 only at the top of each page
1 only before or after groups of sorted records (for example, to
include a subtotal for each group of records)
Each layout must have at least one part. Layout parts can contain
fields, portals, buttons, text, and other objects. In Layout mode, dotted
horizontal lines mark the division between layout parts, and the part
label appears at the left end of the bottom dividing line.
The New Layout/Report assistant automatically creates the
appropriate layout parts depending on the choices you make. You can
add, change, or delete layout parts after you finish the assistant as
needed. (See
“Creating layouts and reports” on page 53.)
To Do this
Prevent entry into a field in
Browse mode, in Find
mode, or in both modes
For Allow field to be entered, clear In Browse mode, In
Find mode, or both options.
Select the entire field’s
contents when the field is
entered
Select Select entire contents of field on entry. (Allow
field to be entered must also be selected.)
Specify a text input mode
for a field that uses a
Japanese input method.
Note This option is
available if your operating
system is configured to
support Japanese text entry.
Select Set input method to, then select an input mode
from the list.
Control how you move to
the next field using the
keyboard
Select Tab key, Return key, Enter key, or any
combination of the options.