User manual
Table Of Contents
- Chapter 1 Introducing FileMaker Pro
- Chapter 2 Using databases
- About database fields and records
- Opening files
- Opening multiple windows per file
- Closing windows and files
- Saving files
- About modes
- Viewing records
- Adding and duplicating records
- Deleting records
- Entering data
- Working with data in Table View
- Finding records
- Performing quick finds in Browse mode
- Making find requests in Find mode
- Finding text and characters
- Finding numbers, dates, times, and timestamps
- Finding ranges of information
- Finding data in related fields
- Finding empty or non-empty fields
- Finding duplicate values
- Finding records that match multiple criteria
- Finding records except those matching criteria
- Viewing, repeating, or changing the last find
- Saving find requests
- Deleting and reverting requests
- Hiding records from a found set and viewing hidden records
- Finding and replacing data
- Sorting records
- Previewing and printing databases
- Automating tasks with scripts
- Backing up database files
- Setting preferences
- Chapter 3 Creating databases
- Planning a database
- Creating a FileMaker Pro file
- Creating and changing fields
- Setting options for fields
- Creating database tables
- Creating layouts and reports
- Setting up a layout to print records in columns
- Working with objects on a layout
- Working with fields on a layout
- Working with parts on a layout
- Displaying data in charts
- Chapter 4 Working with related tables and files
- Chapter 5 Sharing and exchanging data
- Sharing databases on a network
- Importing and exporting data
- Saving and sending data in other formats
- Sending email messages based on record data
- Supported import/export file formats
- Setting up recurring imports
- ODBC and JDBC
- Methods of importing data into an existing file
- About adding records
- About updating existing records
- About updating matching records
- About the importing process
- Converting a data file to a new FileMaker Pro file
- About the exporting process
- Working with external data sources
- Publishing databases on the web
- Chapter 6 Protecting databases
- Protecting databases with accounts and privilege sets
- Creating accounts and privilege sets
- Viewing extended privileges
- Authorizing access to files
- Security measures
- Enhancing physical security
- Enhancing operating system security
- Establishing network security
- Backing up databases and other important files
- Installing, running, and upgrading antivirus software
- Chapter 7 Converting databases from FileMaker Pro 6 and earlier
- Index
Chapter 4
Working with related tables and files
This chapter explains the basics of how to:
1 plan a relational database
1 create and edit relationships
1 create and edit lookups
FileMaker Pro uses related tables as the basis for r
elational databases and lookups. Relational databases
allow you to work with data from other tables dynamically, so that you can change data in one place and
your changes are reflected in all places where the related data appears. Lookups let you copy and paste data
from one table to another; once looked-up data has been inserted, it does not change unless you edit it or tell
FileMaker Pro to look it up again.
Use relational databases to:
1 See and work with data from another (or the current) table in its most up-to-date state. For example,
display data in related fields when you need current data from a related table, such as the current price of
an item. As data changes in the related records, you see those changes in the current table.
1 Set up and manage data efficiently and with flexibility. Instead of creating many database tables or files
with duplicate values, you store single occurrences of values and use relationships to make those values
available. You can then make changes to data in only one place, which eliminates data duplication and
promotes data accuracy.
1 Save disk space, because data is stored in only one place.
Use lookups to copy data from a related table and keep it as c
opied, even when the related data changes. For
example, use a lookup to copy the price of an item at the time of purchase into an Invoices table. Even if the
price in the related table changes, the price in the Invoices table stays the same.
FileMaker Pro can also access data stored in other FileMaker Pro files and external ODBC data sources,
whi
ch allows you to combine data stored in your FileMaker Pro file with data from these external sources.
Y
ou can work with data in SQL databases that share information through ODBC. You can also use
supplemental fields in FileMaker Pro to perform calculation and summary
operations on data stored in
ODBC data sources. For more information about using FileMaker Pro with external data sources, see
“Working with external data sources” on page 120.
Note
See Help for detailed, comprehensive information and step-by-step procedures about using FileMaker Pro.
About relationships
A relationship is a powerful method for organizing your data. Using a relationship, you can join data in one or
more tables based on common field values, different field values, or a comparison of values in two or more fields.