User manual

Table Of Contents
Chapter 1
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Introducing FileMaker Pro 11
FileMaker Pro overview
Here is an overview of the capabilities of FileMaker Pro.
Creating simple or complex databases
With FileMaker Pro you can create simple databases consisting of just one database table, such as an address
list, or you can create a complex database with relationships and multiple database tables. For example, you
can create a complex database that relates two tables based on a single common value, such as a serial
number or an ID number.
You can organize your databases as a single table in a single file, as multiple tables in a single file, or as
multiple tables in multiple files.
FileMaker Pro provides database templates (Starter Solutions) designed for business, education, and
personal purposes. The templates can be quickly customized to suit your needs.
For more information about creating databases, see chapter 3, “Creating databases.
Using layouts to display, enter, and print data
FileMaker Pro layouts determine how information is organized for viewing, printing, reporting, finding, and
entering data. Layouts do not store your data—they just display it.
Database files can have many different layouts, which display data in a variety of ways. Within one database
file, you can design separate layouts for entering data, reporting summaries, printing mailing labels,
publishing a database on the web, and so on. You can change a layout’s design without affecting the data or
other layouts in the file. When you change the data in a field, the changes are reflected in the same field on
all the layouts in the database.
In a layout, you choose, arrange, and modify fields and field labels, create reports, add buttons to initiate
scripts, add graphics and text, and specify printing options.
Not all information needs to be stored in your FileMaker Pro database. For example, you can add a web
viewer to display a web page on a layout. There are some restrictions for displaying web content in
FileMaker
Pro.
Choose different layout types in the New Layout/Report assistant. Use these different layout types for various
purposes, like displaying a data entry screen or printing a totaled sales report or formatting data as mailing labels.
You can customize each layout further by using the design tools that are available in Layout mode.
An address list database
consisting of one table
A database consisting of multiple tables, with a
portal to display records from a related table