FileMaker Pro Tutorial
FileMaker® Pro 11
Tutorial
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Edition: 01
Contents
Lesson 1
FileMaker Pro basics
How to use this tutorial 9
Where to find the sample file 10
Database concepts 10
What is a database? 10
Why use a database? 10
How is a database organized? 10
How is field data displayed? 10
FileMaker Pro basics 11
About FileMaker Pro modes 11
For more information 11
Lesson 2
Browsing information
Open a database and move between records 13
View information in different ways 14
See a different layout 15
View your layouts as forms, lists, and tables 16
Explore the status toolbar and layout bar 18
Find out what status toolbar buttons do 18
Customize the status toolbar 18
Save a copy of the sample file 19
For more information 19
Lesson 3
Finding and sorting records
Use quick find to search a database 21
Find records based on criteria in a single field 22
Find records based on criteria in specific separate fields 23
Find records that match multiple criteria in the same field 23
Find records that match a range of criteria in the same field 24
Narrow your search 25
Save a find request to use later 26
Find records using a Saved Find 26
Sort your found set 27
Add a new record in List View 28
For more information 28
4 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Lesson 4
Creating a database and entering records
Create a simple database 29
About fields 29
Create a database 29
Enter data into the database 31
Create the first record 31
Create another record 31
Copy data with drag and drop 31
Modify data in a record 32
Enter data in Form View 32
Delete a record 32
Insert a file in a container field 33
For more information 33
Lesson 5
Customizing what you see
About layouts and tables 35
About customizing layouts 35
Resize, move, and add a field 35
Select and resize a field 35
Move a field 36
Add a field 38
Add a tab panel 39
Display a number as currency 40
Add color to a tab panel 41
Change text size and color 41
Add a graphic to the layout 42
For more information 42
Lesson 6
Creating lists, mailing labels, and form letters
Create a columnar list 43
Create mailing labels 44
About labels layouts 44
Create a labels layout 44
Create a form letter 46
About form letter layouts 46
Create a one-page blank layout 46
Customize the letter with the company name 48
Add the closing 48
For more information 49
| Contents 5
Lesson 7
Simplifying data entry
Enter data using value lists 51
Define a value list 51
Assign a value list to a field and display it as radio buttons 52
Generate values with a calculation field 53
Create a calculation field 53
Test your calculation 55
Automatically enter a serial number 55
Create a field for serial numbers 55
For more information 56
Lesson 8
Automating tasks with buttons and scripts
Perform a task using a button 57
Create the button 57
Perform a series of tasks using a script 58
About scripts 58
Create a script to preview the Labels layout 58
Assign a script to a button 59
Rename the button 59
Test the button 60
For more information 60
Lesson 9
Creating and running reports
About summary reports 61
Create a dynamic report in Table View 61
Examine the data in Table View 61
Hide data not needed in the report 61
Group and sort data and define a summary field 62
Label and format grouped data 63
Use an assistant to create a report with grouped data 64
About layouts for subsummary reports 64
Create a subsummary report 65
Use an assistant to create a report with grouped data and totals 68
Create a subsummary report with totals 69
Save and send a report as a PDF file 72
For more information 73
6 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Lesson 10
Charting data
Create a line chart 75
Create a simple database 75
Add text fields to the Monthly Stock Results table 75
Add records to the database 75
Create a line chart 76
Change the chart format to Poly-line 76
View the chart in Browse mode 77
For more information 77
Lesson 11
Making databases relational
Display a related record in a file 79
Define a relationship to another table 79
Display data from a related record 80
Display a list of related records 81
Create a portal to display matching records 81
Add the fields and format the portal 82
For more information 82
Lesson 12
Sharing and exchanging data
About sharing data 83
Enable FileMaker network sharing 83
Opening a remote file 85
About exchanging data 86
Saving and sending data 86
Supported import/export file formats 86
About importing data 86
Import data into the sample file 86
For more information 88
Lesson 13
Protecting data in FileMaker Pro
Create an account and password 89
About accounts 89
Create a privilege set 91
About privilege sets 91
Create a custom privilege set 91
For more information 92
| Contents 7
Lesson 14
Backing up your databases
How to back up your database 93
When to back up 93
For more information 94
8 FileMaker Pro 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 display data graphically in a chart
1 create relationships between FileMaker Pro database tables
1 learn how files can be shared with other users on your network or over the internet
1 protect information in your database by assigning user accounts and privilege sets and by backing up your
databases
It takes approximately five 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.
You must complete these lessons sequentially, as concepts introduced in early lessons are assumed to be
understood in later lessons. The sample file that you work in progresses through the lessons.
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.
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.
The file included with this tutorial is intended to illustrate the features of FileMaker Pro, and as such, might
be unsuitable for use as a template for further development.
Note Some procedures refer to using a shortcut menu. To display a shortcut (context menu), right-click an
object or area to see a list of commands. If the mouse for your Mac computer doesn’t have multiple buttons,
Control-click to display the shortcut menu. (On the Mac, you can change your mouse configuration in
System Preferences.)
To send your feedback on this guide, see www.filemaker.com/company/documentation_feedback.html.
10 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Where to find the sample file
The sample file contains data for The Corporate Travelers Club and provides a place for you to practice
building the database elements that are described in each lesson. If you need to start over, replace your
existing sample file with a new copy. If the sample file was installed, it is in:
FileMaker Pro 11/English Extras/Tutorial
or
FileMaker Pro 11 Advanced/English Extras/Tutorial
You can also download the sample file from the FileMaker website by visiting:
www.filemaker.com/documentation
Database concepts
What is a database?
A database is a method of organizing and analyzing information. You’ve probably used several databases
recently without realizing it. A date book, a parts list, and even your own address book are databases.
Why use a database?
Storing information in a database file has many benefits. A database doesn’t just hold information—it helps you
organize and analyze the information in different ways. For example, databases allow you to group information
for reports, sort information for mailing labels, count your inventory, or quickly find a particular invoice.
Computerized databases offer many additional advantages over their paper-based counterparts: speed,
reliability, precision, and the ability to automate many repetitive tasks.
How is a database organized?
A database file is organized into one or more tables. Tables store records. Each record is a collection of fields.
Imagine your address book is a FileMaker Pro database file. Each listing in your address book is one record
in an Address Book table. Each record has information, such as name, address, city, and so on. Each of these
pieces of information—name, address, and city—is stored in a separate field.
How is field data displayed?
FileMaker Pro displays fields on layouts. Each layout is based on a single table, and displays records from
that table.
Imagine that your database has a Tasks table in addition to the Address Book table. A layout based on the
Address Book table will display fields and records from the Address Book table. A layout based on the Tasks
table will display fields and records from the Tasks table.
Lesson 1 | FileMaker Pro basics 11
FileMaker Pro basics
FileMaker Pro is a cross-platform application. Files created on a Mac can be opened in FileMaker Pro on a
computer running Windows, and vice versa.
Unlike most word processing or spreadsheet programs, FileMaker Pro saves your work automatically.
Consequently, it’s important to carefully consider your actions when making sweeping changes to your files,
especially when deleting records. Once records are deleted, they are completely removed from your database.
As you will learn in lesson 14, you should back up your files on a regular basis. Backups can save you many
hours of unnecessary work and worry in the event that your files become lost or damaged, or records are
inadvertently deleted.
About FileMaker Pro modes
When you work in FileMaker Pro, you work in one of four modes.
1 Use Browse mode to enter data and view records.
1 Use Find mode to locate a record or a group of records.
1 Use Layout mode to specify how information will appear on the screen or when you print it.
1 Use Preview mode to see what the pages will look like when you print them.
After you have opened a database, you can switch from one mode to another using either the View menu,
buttons in the status toolbar and layout bar, or the mode pop-up menu at the bottom of the application window.
For more information
For more information on FileMaker Pro basic concepts, see chapters 1 and 2 in the FileMaker Pro User’s Guide.
You can also find comprehensive information about procedures and concepts in FileMaker Pro Help. To
access FileMaker Pro Help, choose Help menu > FileMaker Pro Help.
To access the FileMaker Resource Center on the web, choose Help menu > Resource Center.
Use the mode pop-up
menu to switch modes
Use buttons in the status
toolbar and layout bar to
switch modes
12 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Lesson 2
Browsing information
You view, enter, or change data in Browse mode. This is the simplest way to interact with your database.
In this lesson you will:
1 open a database with data already in it
1 move between records
1 view information in different ways by switching layouts
1 see the difference between Form View, List View, and Table View
1 explore the status toolbar
1 save a copy of the database
Open a database and move between records
To open the sample database:
1. Open the Tutorial folder on your hard drive. For the tutorial folder location, see chapter 1, “Where to find
the sample file.”
2. Open Sample.fp7.
3. Notice:
1 The database is in Browse mode. FileMaker Pro defaults to Browse mode when a database is opened.
1 The status toolbar shows there are 29 records in the sample database. The first record is displayed.
14 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
4. Click the right page of the book icon to move forward one record at a time, and click the left page to move
backward one record at a time.
5. Drag the slider to the right and release to move forward a number of records at one time. Drag the slider
to the left and release to move backward a number of records.
You can also click the current record number, type the record number you want, then press Enter
(Windows) or Return (Mac OS) to go to a specific record in the database.
Tip The Records menu also provides commands to move between records. Choose Records menu >
Go to Record and choose either Next, Previous, or Go To.
View information in different ways
Even though you enter information only once in FileMaker Pro, you can use that information in many ways.
Layouts let you view some or all of your fields.
Because it is not necessary to see all of your fields in each layout, layouts are a powerful tool for working
with or printing just the information you need to accomplish a particular task.
Record currently displayed Number of total records
Book icon
Slider
Mode pop-up menu
displays current mode
Lesson 2 | Browsing information 15
See a different layout
To see some layouts in action, use the file you just opened.
1. Click the Layout pop-up menu, located in the layout bar. A list appears showing the layouts available in
this file.
2. Notice the check mark next to the Data Entry layout, your current layout. The Data Entry layout shows
most of the fields in the Members table.
Steve Williams
789 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
Juanita Alvarez 555-1234
Michelle Cannon 555-1234
Andre Common 555-1234
Marie Durand 555-1234
Jean Durand 555-1234
William Johnson 555-1234
John Lee 555-1234
Patrick Murphy 555-1234
Le Nguyen 555-1234
Kentaro Ogawa 555-1234
Mary Smith 555-1234
John Smith 555-1234
Sophie Tang 555-1234
Steve Williams 555-1234
Betty Wilson 555-1234
Phone List
Dear Sophie,
Thank you for reserving a cruise with us. We
value your business and appreciate the
opportunity to serve you.
If you have any questions about your
reservations, please call us—we want you to
be satisfied with your cruise.
Sincerely,
John Lee
The same data can be arranged differently with multiple layouts
Layout
pop-up menu
Fields
16 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
3. Choose the Club List layout from the Layout pop-up menu.
This layout shows each record as one row in a columnar list. Notice that the Club List layout contains
only four of the fields that were present in the Data Entry layout. Because fewer fields are present on this
layout, some data is simply not displayed. However, no data has been removed from the database.
4. Go to the Layout pop-up menu and return to the Data Entry layout. No data has been lost.
View your layouts as forms, lists, and tables
You can view your layouts in three different ways: as a form, as a list, and as a table.
1 Form View displays your current layout one record at a time.
1 List View shows your current layout as a list, with one record appearing beneath another.
1 Table View shows you many records at one time in a grid.
Generally, layouts can be toggled between Form View, List View, and Table View while the database is in
Browse mode.
The Club List layout displays only four of the fields present on the Data Entry layout
Lesson 2 | Browsing information 17
Switch between Form View, List View, and Table View in the same layout to see how they are different.
1. In the sample file, switch to the Club List layout. You see many records, displayed as a list.
2. Click Form View in the layout bar.
You now see a single record, displayed in the same layout. Only the viewing option has changed.
3. Click Table View in the layout bar.
The View as Table feature allows you to view many records at once in a grid.
4. Click List View in the layout bar to return to List View.
Form View
List View
Table View
The Club List layout, viewed as a form, then as a list, and then as a table
18 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Explore the status toolbar and layout bar
The status toolbar at the top of the FileMaker Pro window gives you quick access to FileMaker Pro menu
commands you use often. The default buttons on the toolbar vary, depending on which mode you are in. You
can add and remove buttons to customize the status toolbar in any mode. The layout bar below the status
toolbar helps you quickly switch between layouts and views. Other controls on the layout bar vary according
to the mode you’re in.
Find out what status toolbar buttons do
1 Move the pointer over buttons on the status toolbar.
A tooltip appears for each button and describes its use.
Customize the status toolbar
You can use the status toolbar as is, or you can add and remove buttons.
To add a button to the status toolbar:
1. Click View menu > Customize Status Toolbar.
2. Do one of the following:
1 Windows: In the dialog box, select the Commands tab.
1 Mac OS: Continue with step 3.
3. Drag Print from the Commands list (Windows) or the dialog box (Mac OS) to the status toolbar.
To remove a button from the status toolbar:
1 Drag the Sort button from the status toolbar to the dialog box.
To reset the toolbar so it displays only the default buttons:
1. Do one of the following:
1 Windows: In the Toolbars tab, select Status Toolbar, click Reset, then OK.
1 Mac OS: Drag the default button set from the dialog box to the status toolbar.
The Print button is removed and the Sort button is restored.
2. When you are finished, click Close (Windows) or Done (Mac OS) in the dialog box.
Status toolbar
Layout bar
Status toolbar and layout bar in Browse mode
Lesson 2 | Browsing information 19
Save a copy of the sample file
You will use a copy of the sample file in the lessons ahead.
To save a copy of the sample file:
1. Choose File menu > Save a Copy As.
2. Select the Tutorial folder as the location for the copy.
Sample Copy.fp7 is automatically entered as the filename.
3. Click Save.
4. When you are finished with this lesson, close the original sample file by choosing File menu > Close.
For more information
You have opened a database, browsed through records, switched layouts, learned the differences between
Form View, List View, and Table View, and explored the status toolbar and layout bar. You have also created
a copy of a database that contains data. For more about browsing information in FileMaker Pro, see
chapter 2 of the FileMaker Pro User’s Guide.
20 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Lesson 3
Finding and sorting records
Your database is a collection of records. Sometimes you’ll work with all of the records in the database (to
mail out an annual catalog for each customer, for example). Often, however, you’ll work with a subset of
your database—people who come from a particular city, for example, or records that fall within a particular
range of dates.
In FileMaker Pro, this process of searching for records that match particular criteria is called finding records.
Once you’ve found the records you want to work with, you can change their order by sorting them. Records
can be sorted in ascending or descending order.
In this lesson, you will:
1 use Browse mode to find records that have:
1 matching data in any field using quick find
1 matching data in a single field
1 use Find mode to:
1 find records that have matching data in specific multiple fields
1 find records matching a range of data
1 narrow your searches by omitting records
1 save a find request, modify it, and use the new request to locate different records
1 sort records in ascending order (a to z) and add a new record in sorted order
Note Verify that you have Sample Copy.fp7 before beginning this lesson. See lesson 2 for information on
accessing the Tutorial folder and making a copy of Sample.fp7.
Use quick find to search a database
Quick find gives you an easy way to search across all fields on the current layout.
In the membership database, find all records for members named John who are located in the UK.
1. Open Sample Copy.fp7, located in the Tutorial folder.
2. Notice that the database is in Browse mode and that the active layout is Data Entry.
You can use quick find to search for common text located in different fields in a database.
3. Type John UK in the quick find search text box in the upper-right corner of the status toolbar.
Type the text you want to find here
22 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
4. Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS).
The result of your quick find search is the found set. The pie chart in the status toolbar shows the found
set as a portion of all the records in the database.
5. Click the book icon or slider to view the two records in the found set.
Your quick find search returned records for John Lee (First Name field) from Johns Circle
(Home Address 1 field) located in the UK (Country field) and William Johnson (Last Name field) located
in the UK (Country field), but not John Smith, whose record does not contain the text “UK” in any field.
This type of search is commonly referred to as an AND search, because records must contain both “John”
and “UK.”
Find records based on criteria in a single field
You can use a shortcut menu to find matching data in a particular field. Now find all of the members that
are located in New York City.
1. Click Show All in the status toolbar to restore all records to the found set.
The pie chart once again shows the found set contains 29 records.
Note It is not necessary to click Show All before performing another Find, as FileMaker Pro finds records
from the entire database by default.
2. Drag the slider to the left to display the first record in the database (Mary Smith located in the United States).
3. Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS) the City field.
4. From the shortcut menu, choose Find Matching Records.
Total number of records in the database
Number of records in the found setPie chart
Choose this item from
the shortcut menu
Lesson 3 | Finding and sorting records 23
Your find request returns records for the four members who live in New York. The pie chart shows the
found set has changed to 4 records.
5. Click the book icon or slider to view each of the four records in the found set.
Find records based on criteria in specific separate fields
You can find records that match multiple criteria, for example members who are both from the United States
and are new members.
Here again you create an AND search. To perform an AND search in Find mode, type each search criterion
directly into the appropriate field.
To find all members who live in the United States and are new members:
1. Click Find in the status toolbar.
FileMaker Pro switches to Find mode. In Find mode, you create a find request using the fields marked
with a . Type the criteria you want to search for directly into the fields on the request.
2. Type USA in the Country field.
3. Type New in the Membership Type field.
4. Click Perform Find in the status toolbar.
Your find request returns a found set of two records for the two new members who live in the United States.
Find records that match multiple criteria in the same field
Sometimes you need to find records that match more than one criterion in a single field. For example, you may
need to find all members located in either New York or London. This type of search is commonly referred to
as an OR search, because your found set will consist of records that match any one of the find criteria.
To perform an OR search in FileMaker Pro, you will need to use multiple find requests.
1 Type the first search criterion into the appropriate field of the first find request.
1 Create a second find request and enter the second search criterion in the same field.
When you click the Find button, FileMaker Pro will retrieve all of the records that match any of the criteria
you’ve entered.
To find all members living in New York or London:
1. Click Find in the status toolbar.
2. Type New York in the City field.
Number of records in this found set
24 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
3. Click New Request in the status toolbar.
Notice that the status toolbar shows that there are currently two find requests.
4. Type London in the City field of this second request.
5. Click Perform Find in the status toolbar.
Your find request returns a found set of six records for six members who live in either New York or London.
Find records that match a range of criteria in the same field
Sometimes, you might want to find records that match a range of criteria within a single field. For example,
you might want to find all of the records that fall within a one-month period, or locate all of the sales invoices
numbered between 500 and 1000.
To perform this type of search in FileMaker Pro, you use a special range symbol in your find request to
specify the lower and upper limits of your find criteria.
To find the members who paid their membership fees between January 1, 2009 and June 30, 2009:
1. Click Find.
2. Type 1/1/2009 in the Date Paid field.
Note FileMaker Pro uses the date format specified in your system settings, so the date format you see
and enter might differ from the format shown in this tutorial.
3. In the layout bar, click Operators and choose range from the list.
Tip Alternatively, you can type any operator from the menu directly into a search field.
Your find request should now have 1/1/2009… in the Date Paid field.
Number of find requests
Choose range
Lesson 3 | Finding and sorting records 25
4. Immediately after the ellipsis (…), type 6/30/2009.
5. Click Perform Find or press Enter or Return.
Your search returns six records, for six members who paid their fees within the first six months of the
year 2009.
Narrow your search
Sometimes, you might need to find records that match certain criteria while at the same time excluding
others (for example, finding all of the records that were added in a given year except for those added in a
particular month, or finding all customers who reside in the United States, except for those in New York
City). You can perform these types of finds by using a combination of multiple find requests and omitting
certain records.
Because FileMaker Pro processes multiple find requests in the order they are created, it is possible to create very
specific, layered searches in this manner. Omitting records in a search does not delete them from the database.
To find the records of members who paid their fees in 2009, except for the members who paid their fees in March:
1. Click Find.
2. Type 2009 in the Date Paid field.
3. Click New Request. Notice that the status toolbar shows that this is the second find request in this
database search.
4. Click Omit in the layout bar to have FileMaker Pro exclude any records in the found set that fit the criteria
of this second find request.
5. Type 3/1/2009 in the Date Paid field.
6. Click Operators, then select range from the list.
7. After the ellipsis, type 3/31/2009 in the Date Paid field to exclude members who paid at any time
during the month of March.
8. Click Perform Find.
Your search returns 11 records for 11 members who paid their fees in 2009, except the members who
paid during the month of March.
Click Omit
26 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Save a find request to use later
If you create a complex find request that you plan to use repeatedly, you can save it as a Saved Find. You
can then quickly and easily perform the find request from either Browse mode or Find mode.
To save your last find request:
1. Do one of the following:
1 Windows: Click the down arrow to the right of the Find button and choose Save Current Find.
1 Mac OS: Click and hold the Find button, then choose Save Current Find.
Your last find request appears in the Specify Options for the Saved Find dialog box.
2. For Name, type 2009 Fees Paid, Except March and click Save.
Find records using a Saved Find
To run your saved find request:
1. In Browse mode, click Show All in the status toolbar.
The pie chart in the status toolbar once again shows the total number of records in the sample file.
2. Do one of the following:
1 Windows: Click the down arrow to the right of the Find button, and under Saved Finds, choose 2009
fees paid, Except March.
1 Mac OS: Click and hold the Find button, and under Saved Finds choose 2009 Fees Paid, Except March.
Once again, only the 11 records meeting the criteria you specified in your Saved Find appear.
The find request
appears as the
default name for
the saved find
Lesson 3 | Finding and sorting records 27
Sort your found set
After you have a found set of records to work with, you might want to sort those records. For example, you
might want to display the records in alphabetical order, or sort them from newest to oldest.
To sort records in alphabetical order by the members’ last names:
1. In the layout bar, click the Layout pop-up menu and choose Club List.
The Club List layout appears.This layout will make it easier to see the results of the sorting. The black
bar to the left of the record for Mary Smith indicates it is the current record in the found set.
2. Click Sort in the status toolbar.
The Sort Records dialog box appears.
3. If any fields appear in the Sort Order column on the right side of the dialog box, click Clear All.
4. In the list of available fields on the left, select Last Name and click Move.
Notice the sort direction symbol to the right of the Last Name field increases in size from left to right. This
indicates that when the database is sorted by this field, the data will be in ascending order (from a to z).
5. Click Sort.
The names in the Club List are now displayed in alphabetical order by last name. Notice that the current
record is still Mary Smith, and this record has moved to its sorted location in the list.
Choose Club List
Current record
Sort direction buttons
become active when a
field is selected
28 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Add a new record in List View
After you have sorted a found set, FileMaker Pro displays new records you add in the appropriate place in
the sort order when you commit (save) each record in the database.
To add a record and see that it is sorted automatically:
1. Click New Record in the status toolbar.
You see a blank record in the Club List layout.
Note Depending on the size of your FileMaker Pro window, you might have to scroll down to see the
blank record.
2. For First Name, type Connel; for Last Name, type Jordan; for Company, type DEF Ltd.; for
Membership Type, type New.
3. Click outside the Membership Type field to commit the new record in the database.
The new, current record is sorted alphabetically by last name in the list.
4. Choose Records menu > Unsort.
Notice the records return to the order they were before you sorted the found set and the new record
appears at the bottom of the list. This is the order in which the records are stored in the database.
5. Select the record for Connel Jordan, if it is not already selected.
6. Click Delete Record in the status toolbar, then click Delete to remove this record from the sample file.
7. When you are finished with this lesson, close the file by choosing File menu > Close.
For more information
You have found records based on a variety of criteria, narrowed your searches by omitting specific records,
and learned how to save find requests. In addition, you have sorted the result of your final found set and
added a new record in sorted order. For more information on finding and sorting records in FileMaker Pro,
see chapter 2 of the FileMaker Pro User’s Guide.
Lesson 4
Creating a database and entering records
In the previous lessons, you saw how to use a simple database with existing data. Now you will create your
own file and add records.
In this lesson you will:
1 create a simple database
1 define fields to hold different types of data
1 create records
1 enter data
1 modify data
1 delete records
1 insert data in a container field
Create a simple database
About fields
You create a field for each category of information you want, such as First Name or City. To find, sort,
calculate, and display data correctly, the field type should match the kind of data it contains (text, number,
date, and so on). You will learn about other field types in later lessons.
Create a database
1. In FileMaker Pro, do one of the following:
1 If you see the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, click Create a New Database.
1 If you don’t see the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, choose File menu > New Database.
2. Go to the Tutorial folder and select it as the location for this file.
3. For File name, type MyFile.fp7, and click Save.
The file opens in Browse mode in Table View. You will now create fields.
4. Click Create Field.
5. Type First Name.
Click to create a field
30 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
6. Click + to the right of the First Name field.
7. Type Last Name.
8. Click + and type Fee Paid.
9. Click + and type Date Paid.
10. Click + and type Container.
You have created five fields in your database.
Fields created in Table View are the text field type by default. Now you will change the field type of
some of the fields you created.
11. Right-click the Fee Paid field, choose Field Type, then choose Number.
12. Right-click the Date Paid field, choose Field Type, choose Date, then OK to accept the default date format
in FileMaker Pro.
13. Right-click the Container field, choose Field Type, then choose Container.
Click to create another field
Field labels appear as column
headings in Table View
Choose Number as
the field type
Lesson 4 | Creating a database and entering records 31
Enter data into the database
Now you can enter data in MyFile.fp7.
Create the first record
1. Click below the First Name column heading.
A new row appears in the table. This is a new, empty record in the database.
2. Type Jane.
3. Press Tab to move to the Last Name field.
Note FileMaker Pro automatically saves your changes as you work.
4. Type Doe in the Last Name field.
5. Press tab and type 25 in Fee Paid.
You will learn how to format number fields to display as currency in the next lesson.
6. Press tab and type 11/11/2009 in Date Paid.
Leave the Container field empty for the time being.
Create another record
1. Click in the row below Jane in the First Name field to create a new record.
Tip You can also click New Record in the status toolbar to create a new record.
2. As you did for Jane Doe’s record, enter data for John Smith, who paid 75 dollars on 2/2/2009.
Your database now contains two records.
Copy data with drag and drop
1. Click in the next row and enter a First Name and Last Name of your choice.
2. Select the 75 in the Fee Paid field in record 2.
3. Drag the highlighted text to the Fee Paid field in record 3 and release the mouse.
Note If you can’t drag the text, drag and drop might not be enabled in FileMaker Pro. To turn on drag
and drop, choose Edit menu > Preferences (Windows) or FileMaker Pro menu > Preferences (Mac OS).
Under General, select Allow drag and drop text selection, click OK, then repeat steps 2 and 3.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the Date Paid field.
This arrow indicates the current
record in Table View
Enter data here
32 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Modify data in a record
Suppose you realize that Jane Doe paid 75 dollars, not 25. You can easily correct the entry.
1. In the record for Jane Doe, select the amount in the Fee Paid field.
2. Type the new amount, 75.
3. Click outside the field to commit (save) this change in the database.
Enter data in Form View
You can enter data in Form View and List View too.
1. Click Form View .
2. In the last record you created, select the data in the Last Name field and type a different name.
3. Click outside the field to commit the change.
Delete a record
1. Click Table View .
2. Select the last record you created.
3. Click Delete Record in the status toolbar.
4. Click Delete in the confirmation dialog box.
Notice in the status toolbar that only two records remain in the database.
The text in the Fee Paid field is selected
Lesson 4 | Creating a database and entering records 33
Insert a file in a container field
A container field can store pictures, QuickTime files, sounds you record, or any other type of file that you
want to keep in a database.
1. Select the container field in the first record.
2. Choose Insert menu > File.
3. Choose the logo.gif file located in the Tutorial folder.
4. Click Open.
When you insert a file, FileMaker Pro displays the file’s icon and name in the container field but not the
actual content of the file.
5. When you are finished with this lesson, close the file by choosing File menu > Close.
For more information
You have created a simple database and defined fields, then added, modified, and deleted records and copied
data between records. For more information, see chapters 2 and 3 in the FileMaker Pro User’s Guide. You
will learn more about entering data in different field types and by different methods in lesson 7. For further
information, see chapters 2 and 5 in the FileMaker Pro User’s Guide.
The GIF filename and icon are
displayed in the container field
34 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Lesson 5
Customizing what you see
You can enhance the way your data looks by adding graphics and other effects.
In this lesson, you will:
1 learn how layouts determine what you see
1 add, resize, and move fields
1 add a tab panel and change its color
1 display values in a number field as currency
1 change text size, style, and color
1 add graphics
1 see where to find other ways you can customize a layout
About layouts and tables
Each layout is based on a single table, and shows records from that table. If your file contains only one table, all
layouts in your file will be based on that table. If your file contains more than one table, you must choose which
table your layout will use at the time you create the layout, although you can change this later if necessary.
The table you choose as the basis for your layout is important because it determines which fields and records
are available for use on that layout. Fields and records that are not stored in the current table can still be used,
but must be accessed through relationships. You’ll learn more about relationships in lesson 11, “Making
databases relational.”
About customizing layouts
You design layouts in Layout mode. You can include any combination of fields, text, and graphics on a
layout. You can change the font and color of fields and text and you can change the way data appears in
Number or Date fields. For example, you can set a Number field to include currency notation or you can set
a Date field to include the day of the week with the month, day, and year.
You use the Inspector for most formatting tasks in Layout mode. Changes you make in Layout mode affect
only the way data appears. The data itself remains as it was entered in the file.
Resize, move, and add a field
Select and resize a field
1. Open Sample Copy.fp7 in the Tutorial folder.
Tip Because you opened Sample Copy.fp7 in lesson 3, you can choose File menu > Open Recent, then
select it from the list of recent files to open it in subsequent lessons.
2. Choose Data Entry from the Layout pop-up menu in the layout bar.
36 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
3. Click Edit Layout in the layout bar.
The status toolbar displays tools you use to design layouts. If you don’t see the layout tools, resize the
FileMaker Pro window to make it wider.
4. Move the pointer over the status toolbar and layout bar to familiarize yourself with the layout tools.
Notice that each field contains an icon , which indicates that the field is enabled for quick find. The
color of the icon indicates performance. You can hide quick find icon by choosing View menu > Show >
Quick Find.
5. Click the First Name field to select it.
6. Drag the handle at the lower-right corner of the field to the left until the field is smaller, yet large enough
to display the longest first name you expect in your file.
7. Click Save Layout, then click Exit Layout to see your results in Browse mode.
8. In Browse mode, click the book in the status toolbar to flip through the records.
If the field doesn’t display all names completely, return to Layout mode and make the field larger.
9. Repeat steps 3 through 8 for Last Name.
Move a field
1. Click Edit Layout.
2. Click inside the Last Name field and drag it to the right of the First Name field.
Tip If you accidentally move the wrong field or the tab panel, choose Edit menu > Undo Move to reverse
the change.
In the next steps, you’ll use the Inspector to align these fields.
3. Click Inspector in the layout bar to open the Inspector.
The Inspector lets you precisely position and format objects on a layout.
Layout tools
Show or hide the Inspector
and formatting bar
Number of layouts in this file
Select and drag the
handle to resize
Click to select the field
Lesson 5 | Customizing what you see 37
4. Click the First Name field, then press Shift and click the Last Name field.
Both fields are selected.
5. Click Position and under Arrange & Align, click Align top edges .
The Last Name field moves until its top edge is aligned with the top edge of the First Name field.
6. Drag the Last Name field label above the Last Name field.
7. Drag the First Name field label above the First Name field.
8. Experiment with the alignment buttons in the Inspector and arrow keys on your keyboard to align the
field labels with each other and their respective fields.
Tip If you make mistakes while designing layouts, you can click Revert in the layout bar to discard any
unsaved changes, then start again.
Click Position
Align top edges
38 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Your layout should look similar to the following when you are finished.
9. Click Save Layout, then Exit Layout in the layout bar to see your results in Browse mode.
Add a field
After a field has been defined in a table, you can display it on any layout based on that table. In the sample
database, there are defined fields that are not on this layout. You will add one of these fields now.
Note You can also place related fields from other tables on your layouts, as explained in lesson 11.
1. Click Edit Layout.
2. Click the Field tool in the status toolbar and drag the new field under the Date Paid field.
3. In the Specify Field dialog box, select Member Since, select Create Label, then click OK.
The Member Since field appears on the layout. Resize the new field by dragging a right handle so the
field is the same size as the Date Paid field.
Notice that the format of the Member Since field label does not match the other field labels on the layout.
You can use the Format Painter tool to copy the format of one label and apply it to another label.
4. Select the Date Paid field label.
5. Choose the Format Painter tool in the status toolbar.
A paintbrush appears next to the pointer , indicating you can copy and paste formats on the layout.
6. Click the Member Since field label.
The format changes to match the format of the Date Paid field label.
7. Select the Member Since field, shift-click the Date Paid field, then click Align left edges in the
Inspector to left-align these fields.
Field tool
Lesson 5 | Customizing what you see 39
8. Select the Member Since field label and repeat step 7 to right-align it with the Date Paid field label.
Note You might need to use the arrow keys to adjust the alignment of label text.
9. Click Save Layout, then Exit Layout to check the new field and label in Browse mode.
10. Click New Record in the status toolbar.
You see today’s date entered in the Member Since field in the new record. The current date will be
entered in the Member Since field in each subsequent new record.
11. Click Delete Record, then click Delete to remove the empty record from the file.
Add a tab panel
1. Click Edit Layout.
2. Select the Contact info tab to select the tab panel.
3. Choose Format menu > Tab Control Setup.
4. In the Tab Control Setup dialog box, for Tab Name type Membership info.
5. Click Create, then OK.
You see the new tab panel to the right of the Contact Info tab.
Handles appear around the entire panel
40 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
6. In the Contact info tab panel, starting outside the tab panel, drag around the Company, Membership Type,
Fee Paid, Date Paid, and Member Since fields and their labels to select them all.
7. Choose Edit menu > Cut.
8. Select the Membership info tab panel.
9. Choose Edit menu > Paste Layout Object(s) (Windows) or Paste (Mac OS).
10. With the fields and labels selected, drag to position them near the top of the tab panel.
11. Click Save Layout, then Exit Layout in the status toolbar to see your results in Browse mode.
Display a number as currency
You can display a number as currency, even though only the number is typed into the field. Formatting
affects only the way data is displayed. It does not change the data.
1. Click Edit Layout.
2. In the Membership info tab panel, select the Fee Paid field.
3. In the Inspector, click Data.
Click Data
Lesson 5 | Customizing what you see 41
4. Near the bottom of the Inspector under Data Formatting, click Number and for Format, choose Currency.
5. Click Save Layout, then Exit Layout to see the formatted data.
Note You might need to click the Membership info tab or move to another record to see formatted data in
the Fee Paid field.
Add color to a tab panel
Change the color of the Membership info tab panel to match the color of the header in this layout.
1. Click Edit Layout.
2. Select the Membership info tab to select this panel.
3. In the Inspector, click Appearance, choose Fill, then Other Color.
4. In the Color dialog box, enter the value 238 for Red, Green, and Blue.
Note Mac OS: You might need to click the sliders icon near the top of the dialog box and choose
RGB Sliders from the list to enter the values.
5. Click OK.
The color of the Membership info tab panel now matches the color of the header.
Change text size and color
1. In Layout mode, select the Selection tool in the status toolbar.
2. Click the The Corporate Travelers Club heading to select the text block.
3. In the Inspector, click Appearance.
1 Under Text, type 25, click Italic , and for Color choose blue.
.
Select Italic for Style
Type 25 for Size
Select blue
42 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Add a graphic to the layout
Next you will add a logo beside the club name.
1. Click to the left of the The Corporate Travelers Club text, where you want to place the club logo.
You will see no change onscreen yet.
2. Choose Insert menu > Picture.
3. Open the Tutorial folder.
4. Make sure all file types are showing, and select logo.gif.
5. Click Open.
6. Drag the logo or text block to move it, if necessary.
7. Click Save Layout, then click Exit Layout to see the finished layout.
8. When you are finished with this lesson, close the file by choosing File menu > Close.
For more information
You have learned how to enhance the appearance of your data by using tab panels, graphics, custom text,
field formatting, and creative positioning of objects on layouts. You will learn how to add a chart to a layout
in lesson 10.
There are many other ways to customize the appearance of fields and layouts.
For example, after you’ve created a layout, you can:
1 add effects like embossing or patterns to objects
1 use lines or boxes to highlight or separate information
1 add scroll bars to individual fields
1 change background or field color
When you create a new layout, you can apply color and style using a theme. For more information on such
enhancements, see FileMaker Pro Help.
Lesson 6
Creating lists, mailing labels, and form letters
You can easily create layouts to view and print information in many different ways.
In this lesson, you will create:
1 a list of your records
1 mailing labels
1 a form letter
Create a columnar list
A columnar list shows many records simultaneously. Each row is one record. Each column holds one
category of data, such as Last Name or Phone Number.
1. Open Sample Copy.fp7.
2. Click Edit Layout in the layout bar.
3. Click New Layout/Report in the status toolbar.
4. For Layout Name, type List of Members.
5. Select List view for the new layout type and click Next.
6. Double-click each of the following fields in the order you want the fields to appear in the list:
1 Last Name
1 First Name
1 Company
1 Membership Type
These fields move to the Layout fields list.
7. Click Next.
44 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
8. Click Last Name, then Move to have FileMaker Pro order the records alphabetically by last name.
9. Click Next.
10. Select Standard from the list of layout themes, and click Next.
11. Click Next on each of the two remaining panels to accept the default settings.
12. Click Finish.
The data in all records for the fields Last Name, First Name, Company, and Membership Type appears in
the List of Members layout. The completed layout is displayed in List View in Browse mode. Notice that
the layout you just created appears in the Layout pop-up menu in the layout bar.
Create mailing labels
About labels layouts
Labels layouts use merge fields. Merge fields expand or contract to fit the data in the field, and take no space
if the field is empty. Merge fields are for display and printing only. You can’t enter data into merge fields.
Create a labels layout
In this section, you will use the New Layout/Report assistant to:
1 create a labels layout
1 select fields to include on the labels
Create the labels layout
1. Click Edit Layout.
2. Click New Layout/Report.
3. For Layout Name, type Labels.
4. For Select a layout type, scroll down and select Labels.
5. Click Next.
6. Choose Avery 5160 from the Use label measurements for list, if it is not already selected.
7. Click Next.
Lesson 6 | Creating lists, mailing labels, and form letters 45
Choose the fields that will appear on the labels
1. Double-click First Name in the list.
<
a merge field and data (in this case the first name in the record) will appear on labels rather than the
placeholder text “First Name.” Notice that the insertion point in the Label Contents text box flashes.
2. After <
3. Double-click Last Name in the list.
4. After <
This moves the insertion point to the next line.
5. Double-click Home Address 1 in the list, then press Enter or Return.
6. Double-click Home Address 2 in the list, then press Enter or Return.
7. Double-click City in the list.
8. Type a comma, then a space.
9. Double-click Country in the list.
Your label contents should look like this:
10. Click Next.
46 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
11. Select View in Preview mode, then click Finish.
You see a page of labels as it will print in Preview mode.
Notice that not all records have the same number of lines of text. Records with four-line addresses display
all lines. In records needing only three lines, the extra line is automatically omitted so there is no blank
line in the labels.
12. When you are finished looking at your labels layout, click Exit Preview in the layout bar to return to
Layout mode.
Create a form letter
About form letter layouts
A form letter in FileMaker Pro is simply a layout containing text. For this letter, you will include merge
fields so the appropriate company information appears for the address and salutation, and for the company
name in the body of the letter. A graphic is included that depicts the travel club’s logo.
Create a one-page blank layout
You should still be in Layout mode.
1. Click New Layout/Report.
2. For Layout Name, type Welcome Letter.
3. Select Blank layout for the new layout type.
4. Click Finish.
Because this letter will not use a header or footer, you will delete them now.
5. On the layout, click the Header tab, then press Backspace (Windows) or Delete (Mac OS).
6. Click the Footer tab, then press Backspace or Delete.
7. Drag the Body tab down to about 11 inches.
When you release the mouse button, you should see the page boundary. If you don’t see the page
boundary, drag the Body tab down farther.
Body tab Page boundary
Lesson 6 | Creating lists, mailing labels, and form letters 47
8. Now drag the Body tab up to just above the page boundary.
The page boundary line will disappear. Dragging the body tab above the page boundary limits your form
letter to a single page.
9. Use the scroll bar at the bottom of the screen to scroll to the right until you see a heavy dotted line along
the right side. This is the right-side page boundary. Your letter will be within these boundaries.
10. Scroll back all the way to the left.
11. Scroll up to the top of the layout.
Create the text block
You will create a text block with a 2 inch margin on all sides.
1. Select the Text tool in the status toolbar.
2. Drag a rectangle starting about 2 inches from the top left side of the layout, and ending about 2 inches
from the bottom right side, as indicated by the page boundary lines.
When you release the mouse, the insertion point flashes in the top left of the text box. You will type the
letter inside this box.
Add the address
1. Choose Insert menu > Merge Field.
2. Select First Name in the list and click OK.
3. Type a space.
4. Choose Insert menu > Merge Field.
5. Select Last Name in the list and click OK.
6. Press the Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS).
7. Add merge fields for the street address, city, and country, with appropriate spaces, new lines, and
punctuation.
Type the letter
1. Press Enter or Return twice to create two line spaces at the end of the address.
2. Start the salutation line: type Dear and a space.
3. Insert merge fields for the first and last name, separated by a space.
In your own letters, you can use more fields (for example, a title field) for a more elegant salutation.
4. Type a comma and two line spaces.
48 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
5. Type the letter:
The Corporate Travelers Club welcomes you and your company to our organization.
We look forward to doing business with you and hope you have many pleasant
trips with us!
If you misspell a word, you’ll see a red dotted line under it. To turn off the real-time spelling checker in
this file, choose File menu > File Options. In the File Options dialog box, click the Spelling tab. Clear
Indicate questionable words with special underline.
If a field is likely to contain words (such as names) that a spelling checker will mark as misspelled, you can
turn off spelling checking on specific fields.
Customize the letter with the company name
1. Click after the word company in the first paragraph.
2. Type a comma and a space.
3. Insert a merge field for the member’s company name.
4. Type another comma.
Add the closing
1. Click at the end of the text and enter two line spaces.
2. Type With regards, then enter four line spaces.
3. Type John Jones and a comma.
4. Enter a line space, then type President.
Clear this
checkbox to turn
off underlining of
misspelled words
Lesson 6 | Creating lists, mailing labels, and form letters 49
5. Click Save Layout, then Exit Layout in the layout bar to see your personalized letter, ready to print, for
every record in the database.
Note The record that appears in your window may differ from the one shown here due to experimenting
you may have done in the sample file.
6. Browse through a few records to see the merge fields update.
See “Add a graphic to the layout” on page 42 to learn how to add a logo to the letterhead.
7. When you are finished with this lesson, close the file by choosing File menu > Close.
For more information
In this lesson, you have created list, labels, and form-letter layouts. You can use FileMaker Pro to create as
many layouts as you like to organize information in any way you like. You’ll learn more about creating
layouts in lesson 9 and in chapter 3 of the FileMaker Pro User’s Guide. For information about turning off
spelling checking in specific fields in a file, see FileMaker Pro Help.
50 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Lesson 7
Simplifying data entry
You can simplify the way you enter data in FileMaker Pro and improve accuracy by using value lists,
calculation fields, and data auto-entry.
In this lesson, you will:
1 see how value lists can simplify data entry
1 write and test a calculation formula
1 use a field’s auto-entry options to automatically enter data
Enter data using value lists
Value lists let you choose the data value you want from a scrolling list, a pop-up menu, checkboxes, or radio
buttons. These lists can contain predefined values, or can be constructed dynamically based on the values in
a particular field. Value lists are an efficient way to enter frequently used values into your database.
Define a value list
1. Open Sample Copy.fp7.
2. Choose Data Entry from the Layout pop-up menu, if it is not already selected.
3. Choose File menu > Manage > Value Lists.
4. Click New.
5. Name the new value list by typing Membership Types.
6. Click in the Use custom values text box and type New and Continuing, each on its own line.
A value list with predefined values, displayed as radio buttons
52 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
7. Click OK to close the Edit Value List dialog box.
8. Click OK to finish.
Assign a value list to a field and display it as radio buttons
1. Click Edit Layout in the layout bar.
2. Select the Membership info tab, if it is not already displayed.
3. Select the Membership Type field.
4. Click Inspector to open the Inspector, if it’s not already displayed.
5. Select Data and under Field, for Control Style choose Radio Button Set.
6. For Values from, choose Membership Types.
This is the value list you defined in the previous section.
7. Select Appearance.
8. Under Object, for Line choose Black.
This setting displays the selection area for each radio button.
Your radio buttons should be visible in Layout mode.
9. Click Save Layout, then Exit Layout to switch to Browse mode, then test your value list and buttons by
clicking them.
Select Radio button set
Select Membership
Types value list
Click Data
Membership Type field
formatted as radio buttons
Lesson 7 | Simplifying data entry 53
Generate values with a calculation field
When you want FileMaker Pro to perform a calculation for you, for example to determine the amount of tax
owed or the proper fee to be paid, you use a calculation field. Calculation fields are one of the FileMaker Pro
field types. FileMaker Pro can perform simple and complex calculations.
The calculation formula uses values from the current record or related records. The formula can use values
from all field types. You can use calculations to return text values (for example, combining the contents of first
name and last name fields into a full name field), dates, times, timestamps, and the contents of container fields.
Create a calculation field
Members of the Corporate Travelers Club pay an annual fee. New members pay a fee of $200, while
continuing members pay $100. The following calculation returns a membership renewal fee based on
membership type.
There are several ways of formulating a calculation, each of which can yield the correct result. The following
method uses an If statement to compare the data entered in the Membership Type field with one of the
membership types. The calculation returns one of two results.
1. Click Edit Layout.
2. Select the Membership info tab.
3. Select File menu > Manage > Database.
4. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab, if it is not already selected.
5. For Field Name, type Renewal Fee.
6. For Type, select Calculation to make this a calculation field.
7. Click Create.
The Specify Calculation dialog box appears.
Select Calculation
54 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
8. Scroll through the list of functions on the right in the Specify Calculation dialog box until you locate
If (test ; resultOne ; resultTwo). Double-click this function so that it appears in the large text box below.
This function has three parts: a test, a result if the test evaluates as true (result one), and a result if the test
evaluates as false (result two). You will replace the placeholders test, resultOne, and resultTwo with the
actual components of the calculation.
9. Select the placeholder text test and type the following exactly as it appears here:
Membership Type = “Continuing”
10. Select the placeholder text resultOne, and type 100.
11. Select the placeholder text resultTwo, and type 200.
12. Make sure the calculation result is set to Number.
13. Click OK.
If you receive an error message, make sure that all spaces and punctuation are identical to the formula
shown above.
14. Click OK to close the Manage Database dialog box.
The Renewal Fee field appears at the bottom of the layout, below the Membership info tab panel.
Depending on the size of your screen, you may need to scroll down to see it.
15. Select the Renewal Fee field and its label and drag them under the Member Since field.
Field list
Verify the type of data to be
returned by the calculation
Function list
Replace these
placeholders
to build your
calculation
Choose Number
The completed
calculation
Lesson 7 | Simplifying data entry 55
16. Notice that the format of the Renewal Fee label does not match the format of other labels in the sample
database. Use the Format Painter tool to reformat it.
Your calculation formula is now complete. When data is entered in the Membership Type field,
FileMaker Pro will compare it to the word we are testing for, “Continuing.” The test is true if it matches this
word, and the calculation will return your first result, 100. If it doesn’t match, the test is false, and the second
result is returned.
Test your calculation
To see if your calculation works, save and exit the layout and switch to the Membership info tab, then try
switching the value in the Membership Type field from New to Continuing. Notice the result in the Renewal
Fee field—it changes as the membership type changes.
Automatically enter a serial number
FileMaker Pro lets you automatically enter certain types of data—for example, incremental numbers—when
you create a new record.
Create a field for serial numbers
1. Click Edit Layout.
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Database.
3. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab if it is not already selected.
4. For Field Name, type Member Number.
5. Select Number as the field type.
6. Click Create.
7. Click Options.
8. Select Serial number on the Auto-Enter tab. You don’t need to change the Generate choice, or the
amounts for next value or increment by for this exercise.
9. Click OK, then click OK again to close the dialog box.
The new field appears at the bottom of the layout. Again, you might need to scroll down to see it.
10. Drag the field and field label onto the Membership info tab, then use the Inspector and Format Painter
tool to reformat it to match other fields and labels on this layout.
Select Serial
number
56 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
11. Click Save Layout, then Exit Layout to switch to Browse mode. Select the Membership info tab panel.
12. Test your new field entry option by clicking New Record in the status toolbar several times. Each time
you create a new record, the value in the Member Number field increments by one.
13. Delete any records you created in the database.
14. When you are finished with this lesson, close the file by choosing File menu > Close.
For more information
You have learned how to simplify data entry by defining and formatting value lists, calculation fields, and
auto-entered serial numbers. For more information on calculation fields and field auto-enter options, as well
as defining and formatting value lists, see FileMaker Pro Help.
Lesson 8
Automating tasks with buttons and scripts
FileMaker Pro lets you automate many database tasks with buttons and scripts. These powerful features can
save you a lot of time by performing a series of actions with a single click.
In this lesson you will:
1 make and use a button to perform a task
1 create and run a simple script to perform a multi-step task
1 use a button to perform a script
Perform a task using a button
A button is an object on a layout that you can click to perform many FileMaker Pro commands. For example,
you can create a button to switch layouts in your database.
Create the button
1. Open Sample Copy.fp7.
2. Choose Data Entry from the Layout pop-up menu in the layout bar, if it is not already selected.
3. Click Edit Layout in the layout bar.
4. Select the Button tool .
5. Draw the button at the top of the layout.
6. In the Button Setup dialog box, under Navigation, select the Go to Layout command in the list.
7. In the Options area, for Specify, choose Layout.
8. In the Specify Layout dialog box, choose Club List, then click OK.
Place the button here
58 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
9. For button style, select Rounded button.
10. Click OK.
11. Notice that the insertion point is now in the center of your button. Type Go to Club List in your
button to identify it.
12. Click outside the button.
If you need to move the button, select it and drag it to the desired location as with any other layout element.
To test your button, click Save Layout then Exit Layout to switch to Browse mode, then click the button.
The button takes you to the Club List layout.
Perform a series of tasks using a script
As you have just seen, you can use a button to perform a single command. To make FileMaker Pro perform a
sequence of commands, use a script.
About scripts
A script lets you construct a series of instructions for FileMaker Pro to perform. Like buttons, scripts allow
you to automate most of the FileMaker Pro menu commands, as well as activate some commands not found
in the FileMaker Pro menu structure. Simple scripts can perform a single task, while complex scripts might
combine elements (such as user feedback and control) with programming techniques (such as branching and
looping) to make powerful, dynamic instruction sets.
Create a script to preview the Labels layout
1. Choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts.
2. Click New to create a new script.
3. In the Script Name text box, type Preview Labels Layout.
4. Select the Go to Layout script step and click the Move button. (You can also select and move script steps
by double-clicking them.)
5. In the Script Step Options area, click Specify, choose Layout, then choose the Labels layout.
Specify the
Club List layout
Select
Rounded
button
Lesson 8 | Automating tasks with buttons and scripts 59
6. From the list on the left, scroll down, select the Enter Preview Mode script step, and move it over to your script.
7. Close the Edit Script dialog box, click Save, then close the Manage Scripts dialog box.
8. To run the script you have just created: Switch to Browse mode, and choose Scripts menu > Preview
Labels Layout. FileMaker Pro displays the Labels layout and switches to Preview mode.
Assign a script to a button
While buttons are generally more convenient for users, scripts are a more powerful feature, allowing you to
combine many menu commands into a single executable action. Using a button to run a script gives you the
best of both features.
To assign the script you just created to the button you created earlier:
1. Choose Data Entry from the Layout pop-up menu in the layout bar.
2. Click Exit Preview, then Edit Layout in the layout bar.
3. Double-click the button you created earlier in this lesson.
4. In the Button Setup dialog box, select the Perform Script script step near the top of the list on the left.
5. In the Options area, for Current Script click Specify. Select Preview Labels Layout from the list of
available scripts, and click OK.
6. Leave the rest of the default button settings as they are and click OK.
Rename the button
1. Select the Text tool in the status toolbar.
2. Click the button once. The text insertion point appears in the button.
3. Select the button text and type Preview Labels Layout to rename this button. You may have to
resize the button after renaming it.
The finished
script
Select
Perform
Script
60 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Test the button
1. Click Save Layout then Exit Layout to switch to Browse mode, then test the button by clicking it.
Clicking this button performs the script, which displays the Labels layout and switches to Preview mode.
2. When you are finished with this lesson, close the file by choosing File menu > Close.
For more information
In this lesson, you have created buttons and scripts, and used these two features together. For more
information on creating buttons and scripts, see FileMaker Pro Help.
Lesson 9
Creating and running reports
The process of retrieving and organizing data from a database is called reporting. Reports help you organize
and view data in groups.
In this lesson you will:
1 create a dynamic report in Table View
1 use the New Layout/Report assistant to:
1 create a report with grouped data
1 create a report with grouped data and totals
1 learn how to save a report as a PDF file and send it as an email attachment
About summary reports
Summary reports present just the totals of your data; they do not break information into smaller groups.
Subsummary reports, also referred to as reports with grouped data, categorize information by a particular
field or fields, allowing you to group information hierarchically. This subsummarized information can then
be subtotaled, averaged, or counted.
A summary field is a type of field you can specify when you define fields in Table View, in the New Layout/
Report assistant, or in the Manage Database dialog box. Summary fields allow calculations across all of the
records in your found set. In general, when you need to total data across a number of records, you need to
use a summary field.
Create a dynamic report in Table View
Dynamic reporting in Table View is a quick way to format and display summary data. Here you will create
a quick report that lists the membership fees paid by each travel club member, then subtotals and grand totals
membership revenue by company.
Examine the data in Table View
1. Open Sample Copy.fp7.
2. Click Data Entry in the layout menu, if it’s not already displayed.
3. Click Table View in the layout bar.
Notice fields from the Data Entry layout appear as column headings in Table View.
Hide data not needed in the report
By default, Table View displays all fields on the current layout. You can hide the fields you don’t want to
show in this report. When you hide fields in Table View, no data or field definitions are removed from the
layout or database.
1. Right-click any column heading and choose Modify Table View in the shortcut menu.
62 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
2. In the Modify Table View dialog box, clear the checkboxes for all fields except Company, First Name,
Last Name, and Fee Paid.
Columns are hidden in Table View as you clear checkboxes.
3. Click OK.
Group and sort data and define a summary field
1. Right-click the Company column heading and choose Add Trailing Group by Company in the shortcut
menu.
Notice that records are reordered and grouped by company. When you add a leading or trailing group in
Table View, FileMaker Pro automatically sorts records in alphabetical order (a-z) by the group field.
Fields you group by are referred to as break fields. In this case, the Company field is the break field.
2. Right-click the Fee Paid column heading, choose Trailing Subtotals, then Total (Membership Revenue) in
the shortcut menu.
Subtotal amounts appear in the Fee Paid column at each company grouping.
Note If you can’t see the subtotal amounts in the Fee Paid column, drag the Fee Paid column heading to
make the column wider.
Clear the checkboxes of
fields you want to hide in
Table View
Lesson 9 | Creating and running reports 63
Label and format grouped data
1. Right-click the gray trailing summary row and select Add Group Field (Company) from the shortcut menu
to display the company name for each grouping.
2. Right-click the Company column heading and choose Hide Field to hide the repeated company data in the
Company column.
The label you created on the Company field remains in Table View to identify the group field.
3. Right-click the gray summary row again, choose Part Color, then choose a color to emphasize the
subtotals in your report.
Right-click the
summary row
Choose Add Group Field
(Company)
64 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
4. Scroll to the bottom of the report, right-click the grand total row, choose Part Color, then choose a
different color to emphasize the grand total in your report.
Your finished report lists the membership fee paid by each member, a subtotal of membership revenue
by company, and a grand total of membership revenue from all three companies.
For this report to display properly in Table View, data must be sorted by Company. If you sort the data
by a different field, you will not see the formatting changes you made in Table View.
5. Right-click any column heading, choose Reset Table View, then click Yes to clear the dynamic report
settings and re-display all fields from the Data Entry layout.
Use an assistant to create a report with grouped data
You can use the New Layout/Report assistant to create a report in a separate layout. When you create reports
in the assistant, you have the option of creating a script that will rerun the report to update the data it displays.
About layouts for subsummary reports
A layout containing a report with grouped data requires a number of elements to work properly.
Layouts designed for subsummary reports include:
1 a subsummary part in the report layout for each level of detail you want to break out.
1 a field or fields to group records by (break fields).
1 records sorted by these break fields, in the order the subsummary parts appear on your report layout.
The New Layout/Report assistant creates these structures and makes these settings for you.
Subtotals are based on
company groupings
Grand total
Lesson 9 | Creating and running reports 65
Create a subsummary report
To create the Membership Type Report:
1. Click Form View in the layout bar, then click Edit Layout in the layout bar.
2. Click New Layout/Report in the status toolbar.
3. For Layout Name type Membership Type Report.
4. Select Report for the new layout type.
5. Clear Include Subtotals and Include Grand Totals.
Notice how the report preview in the assistant changes, giving you an idea of how your report will look
with the current settings.
6. Click Next.
Select the fields used in this report
1. Select the first field to be used in this report, Membership Type, and move it to the Layout fields list.
2. Select and move the Last Name field.
The report preview
updates when you
choose a layout type
66 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
3. Select and move the First Name field.
4. Click Next.
5. Move the Membership Type field to the Report categories list to organize the records by membership type.
6. Clear the Membership Type checkbox.
Membership Type will appear only once in each grouping, as shown in the report preview image in the
assistant.
7. Click Next.
Clear Membership
Type to hide repeated
values in the report
Lesson 9 | Creating and running reports 67
8. Move the Last Name field to the Sort order list.
This sorts the records in each group of membership types alphabetically by members’ last names. Notice
that the break field Membership Type appears automatically at the top of the Sort order list.
FileMaker Pro will group records by this category before sorting data.
9. Click Next.
Select a theme and create the header and footer
1. Select the Standard theme to set the text size, color, and style of the finished report, then click Next.
2. In the Header area, for Top center, choose Large Custom Text.
3. Type Membership Type Report for the header of the report and click OK.
4. In the Footer area, for Bottom center, choose Page Number to include numbers at the bottom of each page
of the report.
5. Click Next.
Create a script so you can run this report again
1. Click Create a script.
2. Leave Script name as it appears, and click Next.
68 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
3. Click View in Browse mode to display and edit records if it is not already selected.
4. Click Finish.
You see the completed report in Browse mode in List View. Members are grouped by their membership
type, then further alphabetized by last name within each membership category.
Note Depending on experimentation you may have done in earlier lessons, your finished report may not
look like the following illustration.
Use an assistant to create a report with grouped data and totals
In the previous exercise, you created a report that grouped data in categories based on common field values.
In this exercise, you will create a similar report that also includes subtotals for each category and a grand
total for the entire report.
The subsummary report you will create:
1 groups the members by membership type
1 subtotals the fees collected for each membership type
1 provides a grand total of these fees
A report with grouped data and totals requires the same elements as a report with grouped data: a
subsummary part in the report layout for each category, a field or fields to group records by, and a sort of the
database by these fields.
Two additional elements are also required:
1 a grand summary layout part
1 summary field(s) to display totals, averages, or counts
Once again, the assistant creates these report elements for you.
This report groups data
by the Membership Type
field, also referred to as
the break field
Placeholder for page
number. The actual page
number will appear in
Preview mode and when
the report is printed.
Lesson 9 | Creating and running reports 69
Create a subsummary report with totals
To create the Membership Fee Report:
1. Click Edit Layout.
2. Click New Layout/Report.
3. For Layout Name, type Membership Fee Report.
4. Select Report for the new layout type.
5. Select Include Subtotals and Include Grand Totals.
6. Click Next.
Select the fields used in this report
1. Select the first field to be used in this report, Membership Type, and move it to the Fields shown on
layout/report list.
2. Select and move the Last Name field.
3. Select and move the First Name field.
4. Select and move the Fee Paid field, then click Next.
5. You want to group the records by Membership Type, so move this field to the Report categories list
6. Clear the Membership Type checkbox so this field is not repeated on every line in the report, then click Next.
7. Move the Last Name field to the Sort order list to sort the records in each group of membership types
alphabetically by members’ last names.
8. Click Next.
Select Include
Subtotals and Include
Grand Totals
70 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Specify subtotals and grand totals
In the Membership Fee Report, you want to see subtotals for fees paid by each type of member, New and
Continuing, and to see a grand total of both groups’ fees at the end of the report. To accomplish this, you
need to specify subtotal and grand total summary fields in the New Layout/Report assistant.
The summary field you will use is Membership Revenue, which has already been defined for you in the
Sample file. Membership Revenue totals the fees entered in the Fee Paid field.
1. For Summary field, click Specify and select Membership Revenue from the list of available fields, then
click OK.
2. For Category to summarize by, use the default value of Membership Type.
3. For Subtotal placement, use the default value of Below record group.
4. Click Add Subtotal to add the Membership Revenue field as the subtotal. This tells FileMaker Pro to
create a subtotal of the membership fees that are paid beneath each membership category.
5. Click Next.
6. For Summary field, click Specify and select Membership Revenue from the list of available fields, then
click OK.
This tells FileMaker Pro to use the Membership Revenue field in the grand total.
7. Click Add Grand Total to add the Membership Revenue field as the grand total at the end of the report.
This tells FileMaker Pro to create a grand total of membership fees.
8. Click Next.
Lesson 9 | Creating and running reports 71
Select a theme and create the header and footer
1. Select the Standard theme to set the text size, color, and style of the finished report.
2. Click Next.
3. Go to the Top center list and select Large Custom Text.
4. Type Membership Fee Report for the header of the report and click OK.
5. Go to the Bottom center list and select Page Number to number the pages in the report’s footer.
6. Click Next.
Create a script so you can run this report again
1. Click Create a script.
2. Leave Script Name as it appears, then click Next.
3. Click View in Browse mode if it is not already selected.
4. Click Finish.
You see the completed report in List View. The fees collected for each membership type are subtotaled
beneath those members’ names, and a grand total of all fees appears at the bottom of the report.
Note Depending on experimentation you may have done in earlier lessons, your finished report may not
look like the following illustration.
Subtotals
Grand Total
72 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Delete a record to see updated summary values
When you work in List View or Table View in Browse mode, FileMaker Pro automatically updates summary
values when data values are added or changed.
To delete a record and see summary values update dynamically:
1. Select the record for Gerard LeFranc.
2. Click Delete Record, then Delete.
The subtotal for new members and the grand total show updated values.
Save and send a report as a PDF file
After you run a report, you can save it as a PDF file and send it as an email attachment.
1. Choose File menu > Save/Send Records As > PDF.
2. Select the Tutorial folder as the location for the file.
3. For File Name (Windows) or Save As (Mac OS), type Membership Fee Report.
4. For Save, choose Records being browsed.
5. Select Create email with file as attachment.
Select the record
for Gerard LeFranc
Select to create a
PDF
Lesson 9 | Creating and running reports 73
6. Click Save.
FileMaker Pro creates the PDF file and passes it to your email program. The PDF file appears as an
attachment in an email message that you can address and send.You can double-click the file attachment
in your email window to see the report as a PDF file.
Note If you use a web-based email client, click Cancel. Repeat the steps above without selecting Create
email with file as attachment in step 5. Then choose File menu > Send > Mail. In the Send Mail dialog
box, for Send via choose SMTP Server, specify your SMTP options, select Attach file, locate and select
the report PDF, then click OK.
7. When you are finished with this lesson, close the sample file by choosing File menu > Close.
For more information
In this lesson, you have created reports with grouped data and totals in Table View and by using the New
Layout/Report assistant. You also saved a report as a PDF file so you can send it as an email attachment. For
more information on creating reports, see FileMaker Pro Help.
74 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Lesson 10
Charting data
You can create bar, line, area, and pie charts in FileMaker Pro to compare and contrast data.
In this lesson you will create a line chart showing a trend in the stock value of ABC Company over six months.
Create a line chart
Line charts are good for showing data that changes continuously over time, such as historical financial data.
Create a simple database
1. In FileMaker Pro, do one of the following:
1 If you see the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, click Create a New Database.
1 If you don’t see the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, choose File menu > New Database.
2. For File name, type Monthly Stock Results, and save the file in the Tutorial folder.
The file opens in Browse mode in Table View.
Add text fields to the Monthly Stock Results table
1. Click Create Field and type Company.
2. To add two more fields on this layout, click + in the column heading, type Month, then click + in the
column heading again and type Price.
Add records to the database
1. Click below the Company heading to create a new record in the database.
2. Enter the following six records in Table View.
Tip Press Tab to move between fields. Click + to begin a new row.
Company Month Price
ABC Company January 13.00
ABC Company February 6.00
ABC Company March 10.00
ABC Company April 4.00
ABC Company May 15.00
ABC Company June 21.00
76 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Create a line chart
1. Click Form View in the layout bar to switch to Form View.
2. Click Edit Layout in the status toolbar to switch to Layout mode.
3. Select Body on the layout, then drag the body layout part down to make room for the chart.
4. Click the Chart tool in the status toolbar, then drag a large rectangle in the body layout part.
The Chart Setup dialog box appears.
5. For Chart Type, choose Line.
Notice the chart preview updates when you make changes to chart settings. However, the preview does
not show data from your database until you view the chart in Browse, Find, or Preview modes.
6. For Chart Title, enter Stock Value of ABC Company.
When you click outside the Chart Title text box, FileMaker Pro adds quotation marks around the title text.
7. For Horizontal (X) Axis, click , choose Specify Field Name, choose Month in the list, then click OK.
The data values in the Month field will appear as labels at the bottom of your chart (the X-axis data
series). This is the data you are comparing (in this case, the month that stock prices were reported).
8. For Vertical (Y) Axis, click , choose Specify Field Name, choose Price in the list, then click OK.
The data values in the Price field will appear as points connected by a line in your chart (the Y-axis data
series). This is the data you are measuring (in this case, the price that was reported each month).
9. For Use Data From, choose Current Found Set.
Change the chart format to Poly-line
FileMaker Pro offers two formats for line charts: curve fitting and poly-line. The distinction between data
points is emphasized when you use straight lines (poly-line).
1. Click Format Chart.
You see the Format Chart dialog box.
Lesson 10 | Charting data 77
2. For Chart Appearance, choose Poly-line.
3. Click OK, then OK to return to Layout mode.
You see placeholder data in the chart in Layout mode. You must switch to Browse mode to see data from
your database.
View the chart in Browse mode
1. Click Save Layout, then Exit Layout in the layout bar.
You see the finished chart.
If your chart is hard to read (for example, the line is too flat), return to Layout mode, select the chart, and
drag the handles to make the chart larger. Then return to Browse mode to verify the chart.
2. Close the Monthly Stock Results file.
For more information
You have created a line chart based on the found set. For more information on charting data, see chapter 3
of the FileMaker Pro User’s Guide. For more step-by-step charting examples, see FileMaker Pro Help.
Choose
Poly-line The chart preview
updates to show the
format you chose
78 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Lesson 11
Making databases relational
Relational databases let you easily view related data and streamline data entry. You can enter data once, then
view and use that data in related tables or files.
In this lesson, you will:
1 see how relational databases work
1 define a relationship
1 display data from one related record
1 display a list of related records
The sample file in this lesson uses two tables:
1 the Members table containing records for individual Corporate Travelers Club members.
1 the Companies table containing records for companies where these members work. Each company has
many members.
Display a related record in a file
Define a relationship to another table
1. Open Sample Copy.fp7.
The file contains the tables, but not the relational structure. You will build the structure now.
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Database.
3. Click the Relationships tab.
You see the relationships graph. The relationships graph shows all the tables in the current file.
When you work with tables in the relationships graph, you are using them to organize your view into
your data. Each table occurrence in the relationships graph represents a separate view into your data.
When you create a relationship between two tables, you make the data stored in either table accessible
to the other table, according to the match fields and the criteria you establish for the relationship.
4. In the Members table, click the Company field and drag a line to the Company field in the Companies table.
The Company field is the match field.
80 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
5. Release the mouse button. You see the relationship you have created.
The relationship is based on matching data in the Company field in both tables. Records are related when
data in the Company field in one table matches data in the Company field in the other table.
6. Click OK to save this relationship.
Display data from a related record
Once you’ve defined the relationship, you can modify a layout to display data using that relationship. Here
you want to display the company address.
1. Choose Corporate Account Information from the Layout pop-up menu.
2. Click Edit Layout in the layout bar.
3. Using the Field tool in the status toolbar, drag a field onto the layout.
You see the Specify Field dialog box displaying the list of fields in this table.
4. Click Current Table (“Members”) and choose the Companies table from the list.
You now see a list of the fields in the related table Companies. The colons (::) before each field name
show that these are related fields, not fields defined in the Members table you are currently working in.
These related fields will display data from the related table.
5. Select ::Company Address.
6. Select Create label (if it’s not already selected), then click OK.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 for ::City and ::Country.
8. Move the fields if necessary, and resize the fields to display all the data they contain. When you’re
finished, the fields should look like this:
9. Click Save Layout, then Exit Layout in the layout bar to return to Browse mode.
10. Click the book in the status toolbar to flip through the records.
While the Corporate Account Information layout is based on the Members table, you can view address
data stored in the Companies table via the relationship you set up earlier in this lesson.
Lesson 11 | Making databases relational 81
Display a list of related records
Relationships are bidirectional. The relationship you made between the Members and Companies tables
displays data (company addresses) from the Companies table. Next, you will use the same relationship to
display data (member names) from the Members table.
Create a portal to display matching records
You can add a portal on a layout to display data from related fields.
1. Choose the Companies layout from the Layout pop-up menu.
A relationship must always be defined before you can display data from related records. Now you will
use the relationship to the Members table you defined earlier in this lesson, but first the relationship must
be changed to allow the creation of related records.
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Database, and click the Relationships tab, if it isn’t already selected.
3. In the relationships graph, double-click the relational operator to display the Edit Relationship dialog box.
4. At the bottom of the dialog box under Members, select Allow creation of records in this table via this
relationship. This lets you add a name to the Members list.
5. Click OK, then click OK again to close the Manage Database dialog box.
6. Use the book or slider in the status toolbar to move to the first company record (ABC Company).
7. Click Edit Layout.
8. Select the Portal tool in the status toolbar and draw a box on the layout to hold the list of names.
9. In the Portal Setup dialog box, for Show related records from choose the Members table.
10. Select Show vertical scroll bar.
11. Leave the Initial row value at 1. Change the Number of rows value to 7.
12. Click OK.
Select this
checkbox
82 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Add the fields and format the portal
1. In the Add Fields to Portal dialog box, select the ::First Name field and move it to the Included fields list.
2. Select and move the ::Last Name field.
3. Click OK.
4. Click Inspector in the layout bar to open the Inspector, if it’s not already displayed.
5. Select Appearance and under Object, for Line choose the color Black.
6. Use the Text tool in the status toolbar to create field labels above the First Name and Last Name fields
in the portal.
The portal should look like this when you are done.
7. Click Save Layout, then click Exit Layout to view the list of members in each company.
Note Depending on experimentation you may have done in earlier lessons, your portal may look
different than the one shown in the following illustration.
8. Test your new structure: type the name of a new member at ABC Company, then switch to the Data Entry
layout to see if it appears as the last record in the database.
When you added the new member, the relationship automatically created a record for this member in the
Members table. ABC Company is automatically entered into the match field because the name was added
to the portal of the ABC Company record.
9. When you are finished with this lesson, close the file by choosing File menu > Close.
For more information
You have seen how to use and create simple relationships. This tutorial covers just the basics; there are many important
points to consider when building a relational database system. Be sure to read chapter 4 in the FileMaker Pro User’s
Guide and the relational information in FileMaker Pro Help before using relationships in your own files.
The portal displays a
list of members from
the related table
Click here to enter
a new member for
this company
Lesson 12
Sharing and exchanging data
You can share data over a network using FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Server, or via the internet using Instant
Web Publishing. You can also share data by importing it into FileMaker Pro files from other applications or
exporting it from FileMaker Pro files to other applications.
In this lesson you will learn:
1 how to enable network sharing of FileMaker Pro files
1 how to import data into a FileMaker Pro file
About sharing data
You can use FileMaker Network Sharing to share FileMaker Pro databases on your network, which allows
up to nine FileMaker Pro users to access and use the same database file simultaneously. If you need to share
files with more than 9 concurrent users on a network, you can use FileMaker Server, which allows more
users to share files and provides greater networking performance and better security.
You can use Instant Web Publishing to publish FileMaker Pro layouts as web pages, which allows anyone
with a web browser on your intranet (or the internet) to access your FileMaker Pro databases.
You can exchange information between FileMaker Pro and other applications by importing and exporting
data. For example, you can import data that is in another database or spreadsheet program, or export address
data in order to create personalized form letters with a word processing program. When you import or export
data, the data is copied to the destination file, not shared between the applications.
Enable FileMaker network sharing
If your computer is connected to a network, you and other FileMaker Pro users can use the same database
file simultaneously.
Important Your FileMaker Pro licensing agreement requires that you purchase a license for each separate
computer on which the FileMaker Pro application is installed. Each software license may not be shared or
used concurrently on different computers.
84 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
The first person to open a shared file is the host. Any user who opens a shared file after the host is a client.
Once a shared file is open, the host and clients have access to the same information, and all changes to the file
appear in each user’s window.
Changes to the data, scripts, or layouts made by any user are saved in the shared file. The shared file is saved on
the disk where the file resides.
Sort orders, find requests, import and export field orders, and print settings are specific to each user.
To enable FileMaker network sharing:
1. Open Sample Copy.fp7.
Note To enable or change a file’s sharing status in your own files, you must open them with an account
that has Manage extended privilege set access privileges. You will learn about accounts, passwords, and
privilege sets in lesson 13.
2. Choose File menu > Sharing > FileMaker Network.
3. In the FileMaker Network Settings dialog box, for Network Sharing, click On.
You see the TCP/IP address of your system below the Network Sharing controls.
The host opens the file
Clients open connections to the
shared file
Click to enable network
sharing
Select level of network access for Sample Copy.fp7
Lesson 12 | Sharing and exchanging data 85
4. Notice that Sample Copy.fp7 is selected in the list.
5. For Network access to file, select All users.
6. Click OK.
Note Windows: You might receive a security warning from the operating system when you enable
network sharing in FileMaker Pro.
Sample Copy is now hosted on your computer. You must keep this file open to make it available to users on
your network.
Opening a remote file
A file is considered remote when it is stored on a networked computer other than the computer you are using.
After a host opens a shared file in FileMaker Pro, up to nine users can open the remote file as clients.
To open a remote file:
1. Choose File menu > Open Remote.
2. For View, select Local Hosts to see a list of hosts.
Note If your computer is not on a network or if there are no FileMaker Pro files currently being hosted, no
files are listed in the Open Remote File dialog box.
3. Select a host, then the file you want to open.
4. Click Open.
Depending on how file sharing is set up on the host computer, you might have to enter an account name,
password, and domain name (Windows only) to open the remote file.
5. Close any remote files you have opened.
Select to see
a list of hosts
Select the file you
want to open
Select the computer that is
hosting the file you want to open
Or, type the network
path of the file you
want to open
To narrow down the
list, type a few
letters of the file you
are looking for
86 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
About exchanging data
You can exchange information between FileMaker Pro and other applications by importing and exporting
data. You can:
1 import data into an existing FileMaker Pro file, either into a new table or into an existing table
1 share data with and import data from ODBC data sources
1 convert data from other applications to new FileMaker Pro files
1 export data for use in other applications
Saving and sending data
You can save FileMaker Pro data as a Microsoft Excel file or a PDF file, allowing you to give data to users
who don’t have FileMaker Pro. FileMaker Pro lets you email the Excel file or PDF file when you save it.
You can also create scripts to save/send records as Excel or PDF files.
FileMaker Pro can send email messages to one or more recipients. You can manually enter recipients, the
message subject, and so on, or you can use values from fields or calculations.You can also create scripts to send
email or send a snapshot link to your database, which captures a found set and displays it for another user.
Supported import/export file formats
Most applications store data in their own file format, but most can also exchange information using
intermediary formats. For example, FileMaker Pro can import and/or export files in Microsoft Excel,
tab-separated text (tab), comma-separated values (csv), and XML, as well as other formats.
If you want to exchange data with another program, check the documentation that came with that program
to determine a common intermediary file format that both FileMaker Pro and the other program support.
Note Most file formats do not import or export formatting settings such as font, size, style, and color.
About importing data
There are several ways to import data into an existing file. You can:
1 add new records to an existing table
1 create a new table from imported data
1 update existing records in an existing table
1 update matching records in an existing table
Important Certain import operations that update existing records and update matching records overwrite
existing data during the import process, which cannot be undone. To safeguard your data, always choose
File menu > Save a Copy As to make a backup of the file before you perform an import that updates records.
The file you import records from is the source. The file you import records to is the target.
Import data into the sample file
1. In Sample Copy.fp7, select Data Entry from the Layout pop-up menu, if it is not already displayed.
2. Choose File menu > Import Records > File.
Lesson 12 | Sharing and exchanging data 87
3. For Files of type (Windows) or Show (Mac OS), choose All files (Windows) or All Available (Mac OS),
then choose MyFile.fp7 in the Tutorial folder.
MyFile.fp7 is the file you created in lesson 4 and the source file for this importing example.
4. Click Open.
The Import Field Mapping dialog box appears.
5. For Target, select Current Table (“Members”).
6. For Import Action, select Add new records.
7. Make sure that the First Name field under Source Fields is on the same row as the First Name field under
Target Fields.
You can move target fields up and down in the list using the slider. Place the pointer over the double-arrow
to activate the slider.
8. Repeat step 7 for Last Name.
9. Make sure that an appears between both the First Name fields and the Last Name fields.
If you don’t see an between matching fields, click to change the setting.
The remaining fields should have a between them. The data in these fields will not be imported to the
target file.
10. Click Import.
11. In the Import Options dialog box, click Import.
12. Review the information in the Import Summary dialog box, then click OK.
Records in MyFile.fp7 that contain first name and last name data have been added to Sample Copy.fp7.
The current found set contains the newly imported records. Browse the new records to verify the
imported data. Click Show All in the status toolbar to see all records in the file.
13. When you are finished with this lesson, close the sample file by choosing File menu > Close.
Fields in the
source file
Fields in the
target file
Arrows show that data will
import into the fields at right
Import
action
Source file to
import from
Target file to import
data into
88 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
For more information
You have learned how to enable file sharing using FileMaker Pro and how to import data into a
FileMaker Pro file. To learn more about sharing and importing data in FileMaker Pro, see chapter 5 in the
FileMaker Pro User’s Guide and FileMaker Pro Help. For information about publishing databases on the
web, see the FileMaker Instant Web Publishing Guide.
Lesson 13
Protecting data in FileMaker Pro
Although your operating system includes file security features, you should use FileMaker Pro accounts and
privileges to protect your data. In FileMaker Pro, you restrict which users can access a file when you protect
files by defining accounts and passwords. The account name and password that users enter determine which
privilege set is used. These privilege sets limit what users can do in the file.
In this lesson you will learn:
1 how accounts, passwords, and privilege sets work together to protect your data
1 how to create accounts, passwords, and privilege sets
Create an account and password
About accounts
Accounts authenticate users who attempt to open a protected file. An account includes an account name and
usually a password. Accounts can be set up for individual users or you can create accounts that are shared
among groups of individuals, such as a “Marketing” account. Shared accounts are useful when you want
fewer accounts to maintain and aren’t concerned with tracking individual access to a database file. However,
it’s safer to create many accounts than to have multiple users share one account. Passwords are case-
sensitive, but account names are not.
When you create a database, two predefined accounts are created (Admin and Guest) and three predefined
privilege sets are available (Full Access, Data Entry Only, and Read-Only Access).
The Admin account is not assigned a password and is assigned the Full Access privilege set, which permits
access to everything in the file. The Guest account allows users to open a file without specifying an account
name, is not assigned a password, and is assigned Read-Only privileges.
Passwords and access privileges for predefined accounts can be changed.
To create an account and password:
1. Open Sample Copy.fp7.
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
Predefined
accounts
Custom
accounts
90 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
3. In the Accounts tab, click New.
4. For Account is authenticated via, Choose FileMaker.
5. For Account Name, type Le Nguyen.
6. For Password, type lnguyen.
Note For security reasons, password text never appears in FileMaker Pro. Always make a note of
passwords you enter when setting up accounts, then provide passwords to the appropriate users. Store
passwords in a safe place in case they’re forgotten and so they can’t be stolen.
7. Select User must change password on next login.
In most cases, an account that is shared by multiple users should not force a password change upon first
login. Instead, you should specify a password and provide it to the users who need it. Also, the privilege
set for a shared account should not permit password changes because one user could change the password
and lock out all other users who share the account.
8. For Account Status, select Active.
9. For Privilege Set, choose [Read-Only Access].
10. For Description, type Customer Service Agent.
11. Click OK.
You see the new account listed with the default Guest and Admin accounts.
12. Click OK.
An alert appears informing you that the Admin account in the sample file is not password protected. You
must acknowledge this setting before FileMaker Pro allows you to continue.
13. Click Allow to close the alert.
You see the Confirm Full Access Login dialog box.
14. For Full Access Account, type Admin, leave Password blank, then click OK.
Note For security purposes, always password-protect the Admin account in files you create.
Specify settings for
this account
Lesson 13 | Protecting data in FileMaker Pro 91
Create a privilege set
About privilege sets
Privilege sets specify a level of access to a database file. In addition, FileMaker Pro allows for extended
privilege sets, which determine sharing options for files.
Predefined privilege sets
Each new database file has three predefined privilege sets:
1 Full Access permits accessing and changing anything in the file
1 Data Entry Only permits only the viewing and entering of data
1 Read-Only Access permits viewing, but not changing data
In every database, there must be at least one account with the Full Access privilege set. For security reasons,
this account should have a password. You can’t change or delete predefined privilege sets except to enable
or disable their extended privilege sets, but you can duplicate predefined privilege sets and modify the copy
to use it in a different way.
Custom privilege sets
While predefined privilege sets in FileMaker Pro provide for common types of data access, creating unique
privilege sets lets you limit access to specific aspects of a database, such as which layouts can be viewed,
which menus are available, and whether printing is allowed.
Extended privilege sets
Extended privilege sets determine the data sharing options that are permitted by a privilege set, such as
whether a privilege set permits users to open a shared file or view a database in a web browser.
Create a custom privilege set
Suppose your business relies on temporary staff at certain times of the year. This staff needs to have access
to your data, but you want to prevent temporary employees from printing or exporting information in your
database. You can create a specific privilege set for temporary staff that does not allow access to printing or
exporting data.
Predefined
privilege sets
92 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
2. Click the Privilege Sets tab.
3. Select the [Data Entry Only] privilege set, then click Duplicate.
Data Entry Only Copy is selected.
4. Click Edit.
5. For Privilege Set Name, type Temporary Staff.
6. For Description, type No printing or exporting for temporary staff.
7. Clear Allow printing and Allow exporting.
Note Because you set up the Sample file for Sharing on a network in lesson 12, FileMaker Network
extended privileges are enabled in the Privilege Set dialog box.
8. Click OK.
Temporary Staff appears in the privilege set list. This privilege set can be used by one or more accounts.
9. Click OK.
10. Click Allow to close the alert.
You see the Confirm Full Access Login dialog box.
11. Type Admin for Full Access Account, leave Password blank, then click OK.
12. When you are finished with this lesson, exit or quit FileMaker Pro to close all open files.
For more information
You have learned how to create accounts, passwords, and assign privilege sets to them. You have also
learned how to create custom privilege sets and how they can be used for specific business reasons. To learn
more about how accounts, passwords, and privilege sets can protect your databases, see the FileMaker Pro
User’s Guide and FileMaker Pro Help.
Clear Allow
printing and Allow
exporting
Extended privilege settings appear here
Lesson 14
Backing up your databases
Power failures, disk problems, and other unexpected computer problems can happen to anyone at any time. To
help prevent data loss, regularly back up all important documents on your computer, including your databases.
In this lesson you will learn:
1 how and when to back up your database
1 where to learn about other ways to protect your files
How to back up your database
There are many ways to back up a file. This is one way.
1. Determine the size of the database:
Windows: In Explorer, right-click the icon for the file, choose Properties, then General.
Mac OS: In the Finder, click the icon for the file, then choose File menu > Get Info.
2. Identify a disk or volume that has enough available space for a copy of the database.
3. Open the database you want to back up.
4. Choose File menu > Save a Copy As.
5. Click Save.
Important Next time, back up to a different disk or volume. Never back up over the only or most recent copy
of your file. You should have several different backups at all times.
When to back up
You should back up:
1 as often as necessary to be sure you can restore all of your data in an emergency
1 before you make a major or irreversible change like deleting records, deleting a field, or replacing data using
the Import or Replace features
Remember, it takes far less time to back up a file than it does to recreate a lost or damaged file!
Accept the default filename for your
copy, or change the name
Select the disk and folder
where you want to save
your copy
Choose copy of
current file
94 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
For more information
This lesson has shown you one way to protect a database. For other ways to prevent and overcome
difficulties with your files or recover damaged files, see FileMaker Pro Help.
Contents
Lesson 1 FileMaker Pro basics
How to use this tutorial
Where to find the sample file
Database concepts
What is a database?
Why use a database?
How is a database organized?
How is field data displayed?
FileMaker Pro basics
About FileMaker Pro modes
For more information
Lesson 2 Browsing information
Open a database and move between records
View information in different ways
See a different layout
View your layouts as forms, lists, and tables
Explore the status toolbar and layout bar
Find out what status toolbar buttons do
Customize the status toolbar
Save a copy of the sample file
For more information
Lesson 3 Finding and sorting records
Use quick find to search a database
Find records based on criteria in a single field
Find records based on criteria in specific separate fields
Find records that match multiple criteria in the same field
Find records that match a range of criteria in the same field
Narrow your search
Save a find request to use later
Find records using a Saved Find
Sort your found set
Add a new record in List View
For more information
Lesson 4 Creating a database and entering records
Create a simple database
About fields
Create a database
Enter data into the database
Create the first record
Create another record
Copy data with drag and drop
Modify data in a record
Enter data in Form View
Delete a record
Insert a file in a container field
For more information
Lesson 5 Customizing what you see
About layouts and tables
About customizing layouts
Resize, move, and add a field
Select and resize a field
Move a field
Add a field
Add a tab panel
Display a number as currency
Add color to a tab panel
Change text size and color
Add a graphic to the layout
For more information
Lesson 6 Creating lists, mailing labels, and form letters
Create a columnar list
Create mailing labels
About labels layouts
Create a labels layout
Create a form letter
About form letter layouts
Create a one-page blank layout
Customize the letter with the company name
Add the closing
For more information
Lesson 7 Simplifying data entry
Enter data using value lists
Define a value list
Assign a value list to a field and display it as radio buttons
Generate values with a calculation field
Create a calculation field
Test your calculation
Automatically enter a serial number
Create a field for serial numbers
For more information
Lesson 8 Automating tasks with buttons and scripts
Perform a task using a button
Create the button
Perform a series of tasks using a script
About scripts
Create a script to preview the Labels layout
Assign a script to a button
Rename the button
Test the button
For more information
Lesson 9 Creating and running reports
About summary reports
Create a dynamic report in Table View
Examine the data in Table View
Hide data not needed in the report
Group and sort data and define a summary field
Label and format grouped data
Use an assistant to create a report with grouped data
About layouts for subsummary reports
Create a subsummary report
Use an assistant to create a report with grouped data and totals
Create a subsummary report with totals
Save and send a report as a PDF file
For more information
Lesson 10 Charting data
Create a line chart
Create a simple database
Add text fields to the Monthly Stock Results table
Add records to the database
Create a line chart
Change the chart format to Poly-line
View the chart in Browse mode
For more information
Lesson 11 Making databases relational
Display a related record in a file
Define a relationship to another table
Display data from a related record
Display a list of related records
Create a portal to display matching records
Add the fields and format the portal
For more information
Lesson 12 Sharing and exchanging data
About sharing data
Enable FileMaker network sharing
Opening a remote file
About exchanging data
Saving and sending data
Supported import/export file formats
About importing data
Import data into the sample file
For more information
Lesson 13 Protecting data in FileMaker Pro
Create an account and password
About accounts
Create a privilege set
About privilege sets
Create a custom privilege set
For more information
Lesson 14 Backing up your databases
How to back up your database
When to back up
For more information