User manual

Chapter 2
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Using databases 27
Entering data
Note If a file is locked or write-protected, or if you don’t have privileges to edit certain records or fields,
you may not be able to modify data.
Selecting a field
Entering and changing data in fields
You can enter or import data up to the character limit for the field type. You can view and print only the data
that fits within the field boundaries.
Note For information about how FileMaker Pro uses system formats to display and sort dates, times, and
numbers, see Help.
A group of records Make sure the found set contains only the records you want to delete. (See “Finding records” on
page 30.) Choose Records menu > Delete Found Records, then click Delete.
All records in a database Click Show All in the status toolbar, or choose Records menu > Show All Records. Then choose
Records menu > Delete All Records.
To Do this in Browse or Find mode
Select a field Click in the field.
Select the contents of a field Select the field, then choose Edit menu > Select All.
Move to the next field in the tab order Press Tab.
Note To set the Return or Enter key(s) to move to the next field, in Layout mode, select
the fields. Click Inspector
in the layout bar, then click Data. In the Behavior area,
for Go to next object using, select the keys you want to use for exiting fields.
Buttons and tab controls can be included in the tab order. Fields on tab panels that are
not in front are skipped.
Move to the previous field in the tab order Press Shift-Tab (or Shift-Return or Shift-Enter, if enabled).
Move to items in a value list Press the arrow keys.
To Click in the field in Browse mode, then
Enter data in a text field Type the text (up to 1 billion characters).
Note In a field set up to auto-complete, you see suggestions based on what you type.
Enter data in a number field Type the values (from 10
400
to 10
-400
).
Enter data in a date field Type one date on one line in the field. Type the day, month, and year as numbers (for
example, 3/3/2010), separated by a nonnumeric character like – (minus) or / (forward slash).
Note You cannot use a : (colon) as a date separator.
Important If you enter dates with two-digit years, FileMaker Pro converts them to four-
digit year dates using a conversion method described in Help. To avoid misinterpretations
during conversion, always enter dates with four-digit years.
Enter the current date in a date,
number, or text field
Choose Insert menu > Current Date.
Select the date using the drop-down calendar, if available.
To delete Do this in Browse mode