Filemaker: Tutorial

FileMaker Pro 9
Tutorial
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Edition: 01
Contents
Lesson 1 Lesson 4
FileMaker Pro basics Creating a database and entering records
How to use this tutorial 7 Create a simple database and define fields 21
Where to find the sample file 7 About field definitions 21
Database concepts 8 Create a database 21
What is a database? 8 Enter data into the database 22
Why use a database? 8 Create the first record 22
How is a database organized? 8 Create another record 22
How is field data displayed? 8 Copy data with drag and drop 22
FileMaker Pro basics 8 Modify data in a record 23
About FileMaker Pro modes 9 Delete a record 23
For more information 9 Insert a file in a container field 23
For more information 23
Lesson 2
Browsing information
Lesson 5
Open a database and move between records 11 Customizing what you see
View information in different ways 12 About layouts and tables 25
See a different layout 12 About customizing layouts 25
View your layouts as forms, lists, and tables 13 Resize, move, and add a field 25
Save a copy of the sample file 14 Select and resize a field 25
Create a file using a Starter Solution 14 Move a field 26
For more information 14 Add a field 26
Add a tab panel 27
Lesson 3
Display a number as currency 28
Finding and sorting records
Add color to a tab panel 28
Find records based on criteria in a single field 15
Change text size and color 29
Find records based on criteria in separate fields 16
Add a graphic to the layout 29
Find records that match multiple criteria in the same field 16
Find records that match a range of criteria in the same field 17
Narrow your search 17
Sort your found set 18
4 FileMaker Pro Tutorial
Lesson 6 Assign a script to a button 42

Creating lists, mailing labels, and form letters Rename the button 43
Create a columnar list 31 Test the button 43
Create mailing labels 32 Find records using a script 43
About label layouts 32 View the script 43
Create a label layout 32 For more information 43
Create a form letter 33
About form letter layouts 33 Lesson 9
Create a one-page blank layout 33 Creating and running reports
Customize the letter with the company name 35 Generate a report with grouped data 45
Add the closing 35 About subsummary reports 45
For more information 35 Create a subsummary report 45
Generate a report with grouped data and totals 48
Lesson 7 Create a report with grouped data and totals 48
Simplifying data entry Save and send a report as a PDF file 51
Enter data using value lists 37 For more information 51
Define a value list 37
Assign a value list to a field and display it as radio buttons 37 Lesson 10
Generate values with a calculation field 38 Making databases relational
Create a calculation field 38 Display a related record in a file 53
Test your calculation 39 Define a relationship to another table 53
Automatically enter a serial number 40 Display data from a related record 54
Create a field for serial numbers 40 Display a list of related records 54
For more information 40 Create a portal to display matching records 54
Add the fields in the portal 55
Lesson 8 For more information 56
Automating tasks with buttons and scripts
Perform a task using a button 41
Create the button 41
Perform a series of tasks using a script 42
About scripts 42
Create a script to preview the Labels layout 42
| Contents 5
Lesson 11
Sharing and exchanging data
About sharing data 57
Enable FileMaker network sharing 57
Opening a remote file 58
About exchanging data 59
Saving and sending data 59
Supported import/export file formats 59
About importing data 59
Import data into the sample file 59
Lesson 12
Protecting data in FileMaker Pro
Create an account and password 61
About accounts 61
Create a privilege set 62
About privilege sets 62
Create a custom privilege set 63
Lesson 13
Keeping your data safe
How to back up your database 65
When to back up 65
Lesson 1
FileMaker Pro basics
Welcome to the FileMaker® Pro tutorial. This tutorial shows you This tutorial assumes that you are familiar with your computer’s
how you can manage your information in FileMaker Pro. operating system. Opening files, locating folders, and other activities
You will learn how to use FileMaker Pro software to: that require some knowledge of your computer’s OS are a necessary
part of completing this tutorial.
1 locate and sort information
Because using FileMaker Pro is the most effective way to learn the
1 create and enter records in a simple database
application, each lesson features a hands-on activity designed to
1 create mailing labels guide you through menus, screens, and concepts step by step.
1 create calculations, buttons, and scripts The file included with this tutorial is intended to illustrate the
1 create and run reports features of FileMaker Pro, and as such, might be unsuitable for use
as a template for further development.
1 create relationships between FileMaker Pro database tables
1 learn how files can be shared with other users on your network or Where to find the sample file
over the Internet
The sample file contains data for the Corporate Travelers Club and
1 protect information in your database by assigning user accounts provides a place for you to practice building the database elements
and privilege sets and by backing up your databases that are described in each lesson. If the sample file was installed,
It takes approximately four hours to complete this tutorial, which can it is in:
be done in one session or several shorter sessions. FileMaker Pro 9\English Extras\Tutorial
or
How to use this tutorial FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced\English Extras\Tutorial
You can also download the sample file by choosing Help menu >
These lessons are based on the membership database of a fictitious
Learning Center. Tutorial files are located with other electronic
travel firm, The Corporate Travelers Club. Corporate travelers who
FileMaker Pro documentation.
are members of this club save their businesses money on travel costs,
and the club’s expenses are offset by an annual membership fee. If you need to start over, replace your existing sample file with a new
FileMaker Pro is used to track the members’ names, addresses, and copy.
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.
Database concepts How is field data displayed?

FileMaker Pro displays fields on layouts. Each layout is based on a
What is a database? single table, and displays records from that table.
A database is a method of organizing and analyzing information. Imagine that your database has a Tasks table in addition to the
You’ve probably used several databases recently without realizing it. A Address Book table. A layout based on the Address Book table will
date book, a parts list, and even your own address book are databases. display fields and records from the Address Book table. A layout
based on the Tasks table will display fields and records from the
Why use a database? Tasks table.
Storing information in a database file has many benefits. A database
doesn’t just hold information—it helps you organize and analyze the FileMaker Pro basics
information in different ways. For example, databases allow you to
group information for reports, sort information for mailing labels, FileMaker Pro is a cross-platform application. Files created on a
count your inventory, or find a particular invoice. Mac can be opened in FileMaker Pro on a computer running
Windows, and vice versa.
Computerized databases offer many additional advantages over their
paper-based counterparts: speed, reliability, precision, and the ability Unlike most word processing or spreadsheet programs,
to automate many repetitive tasks. FileMaker Pro saves your work automatically. Consequently, it’s
important to carefully consider your actions when making sweeping
How is a database organized? changes to your files, especially when deleting records. Once records
are deleted, they are completely removed from your database.
A database file is organized into one or more tables. Tables store
As you will learn in lesson 13, you should back up your files on a
records. Each record is a collection of fields.
regular basis. Backups can save you many hours of unnecessary
Imagine your address book is a FileMaker Pro database file. Each work and worry in the event that your files become lost or damaged,
listing in your address book is one record in an Address Book table. or records are inadvertently deleted.
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.
Lesson 1 | FileMaker Pro basics 9
About FileMaker Pro modes For more information

When you work in FileMaker Pro, you work in one of four modes. For more information on FileMaker Pro basic concepts, see chapter 2
1 Use Browse mode to enter data and view records. of the FileMaker Pro User’s Guide.
1 Use Find mode to locate a record or a group of records quickly. You can also find comprehensive information about procedures and
concepts in FileMaker Pro Help. To access FileMaker Pro Help,
1 Use Layout mode to specify how information will appear on the
choose Help menu > FileMaker Pro Help.
screen or when you print it.
To access the FileMaker Learning Center on the web,
1 Use Preview mode to see what the pages will look like when you choose Help menu > Learning Center.
print them.
Once you have opened a database, you can switch from one mode to
another using either the View menu, mode buttons, or the mode pop-
up menu at the bottom of the application window.
Current mode Filename

(Browse)
Mode buttons
Name of layout
Number of the
current record
Fields
Mode pop-up menu

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: Book icon
1 open a database with data already in it
Slider
1 move between records Record currently
displayed
1 view information in different ways by switching layouts
1 see the difference between form view, list view, and table view Number of
records
1 save a copy of the database Status area
1 create a new database using a Starter Solution
4. Click the right page of the book icon to move forward one record
Open a database and move at a time, and click the left page to move back one record at a time.
5. Drag the slider to the right and release to move forward a number
between records of records at one time. Drag the slider to the left and release to move
To open the sample database: backwards a number of records.
1. Open the Tutorial folder on your hard drive. For the tutorial folder You can also click the current record number, type the record
location, see chapter 1, “Where to find the sample file.” number you want, then press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS).
2. Open Sample.fp7.
Tip The Records menu also provides commands to move between
3. Notice that the database is in Browse mode. FileMaker Pro
records. Choose Records menu > Go to Record and choose either
defaults to Browse mode when a database is opened.
Next, Previous, or Specify.
The current mode is

identified at the top
of the status area
In the status area, notice that there are 29 records and that the first
record is displayed.
View information in different ways See a different layout

Even though you enter information only once in FileMaker Pro, you To see some layouts in action, use the file you just opened.
can use that information in many ways. Layouts let you view some 1. Click the Layout pop-up menu, located above the book icon.
or all of your fields. A list appears showing the layouts available in this file.
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 Layout
information you need to accomplish a particular task. pop-up menu
Steve Williams
789 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
Dear Sophie,
Thank you for reserving a cruise with us. We

2. Notice the check mark next to the Data Entry layout, your current
value your business and appreciate the
Phone List opportunity to serve you. layout. The Data Entry layout shows all of the fields in the table.
If you have any questions about your
Juanita Alvarez 555-1234
reservations, please call us—we want you to
Michelle Cannon 555-1234
be satisfied with your cruise.
Andre Common 555-1234
Marie Durand 555-1234
Sincerely,
Jean Durand 555-1234
John Lee
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
The same data can be arranged differently with multiple layouts

Lesson 2 | Browsing information 13
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.
Form view
List view
Table view
The Club List layout displays only four of The Club List layout, viewed as a form, then as a list, and finally as a table
the fields present on the Data Entry layout
4. Go to the Layout pop-up menu and return to the Data Entry layout. Switch between form view, list view, and table view in the same
No data has been lost. 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.
View your layouts as forms, lists, and tables
2. Choose View menu > View as Form.
You can view your layouts in three different ways: as a form, as a list,
You now see a single record, displayed in the same layout. Only the
and as a table.
viewing option has changed.
1 Form view displays your current layout one record at a time.
3. Choose View menu > View as Table.
1 List view shows your current layout as a list, with one record
appearing beneath another. The View as Table feature allows you to view many records at
once in a grid.
1 Table view shows you many records at one time in a grid.
4. Choose View menu > View as List to return to the original view of
Generally, layouts can be toggled between form view, list view, and the Club List layout.
table view while the database is in Browse mode.
Save a copy of the sample file

You will use a copy of the sample file in the lessons ahead.
Select
To save a copy of the sample file: Business -
Finance
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 for File Name.
3. Click Save. Select
Purchase
4. Close the original sample file by choosing File menu > Close. Orders
Create a file using a Starter Solution

4. Click OK, then save Purchase Orders.fp7 in the Tutorial folder.
FileMaker Pro Starter Solutions are pre-designed database
templates. These files contain fields and are set up for tasks You see the Purchase Orders database, ready for you to add new
commonly performed in databases, such as creating purchase orders records.
or expense reports. Starter Solutions contain no data and provide a 5. Browse the Layout pop-up menu to familiarize yourself with the
quick way to start using FileMaker Pro right away. layouts.
To create a file using a Starter Solution: You will add data to this file in lesson 8.
1. Choose File menu > New Database. 6. When you are finished with this lesson, close the file by choosing
You see the FileMaker Quick Start Screen. If you do not see the File menu > Close.
Quick Start Screen, choose Edit menu > Preferences (Windows) or
FileMaker Pro menu > Preferences (Mac OS). Under General, select
Show Starter Solutions in FileMaker Quick Start Screen, click OK, then For more information
repeat step 1. You have opened a database, browsed through records, switched
2. Select Create database using Starter Solution. layouts, learned the differences between form view, list view, and
table view, created a copy of a database that contains data, and
3. Select Business - Finance under All Solutions, then select Purchase
created a new empty database from a Starter Solution. For more
Orders on the right.
about browsing information in FileMaker Pro, see chapter 2 of the
FileMaker Pro User’s Guide.
Lesson 3
Finding and sorting records
Your database is a collection of records. Sometimes you’ll work with 4. Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS) the City field.
all of the records in the database (to mail out an annual catalog for 5. From the shortcut menu, choose Find Matching Records.
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 find records matching criteria in a single field and multiple fields
1 find records matching a range of data
1 narrow your searches by omitting records
1 sort records in ascending and descending order Choose this item from
the shortcut menu
Note Verify that you have a copy of Sample.fp7 before beginning
this lesson. See lesson 2 for information on accessing the Tutorial
folder and making a copy of Sample.fp7. Your find request returns records for four members who live in
New York. This is the found set.
Find records based on criteria in

a single field
In the membership database, find all of the members that are from
New York City.
1. Open the Tutorial folder on your hard drive.
Number of records
2. Open Sample Copy.fp7. in the found set
Total number of records
3. Notice that the database is in Browse mode and that the active in the database
layout is Data Entry.
6. Click the book icon or slider to view each of the four records in
The first record is for a member from New York City.
the found set.
Find records based on criteria in Your find request returns a found set of two records for the two new
members who live in the United States.
separate fields 5. To find all of the records in your database, choose Records menu >
You can find records that match multiple criteria, for example Show All Records.
members who are both from the United States and are new members. Note It is not necessary to choose Show All Records before
This type of search is commonly referred to as an AND search. To performing a Find, as FileMaker Pro finds records from the entire
perform an AND search in FileMaker Pro, type each search criterion database by default.
directly into the appropriate field in Find mode.
To find all members who live in the United States and are new members:
Find records that match multiple criteria
1. Choose View menu > Find Mode.
Use Find mode to perform more advanced searches. In Find mode, in the same field
you create a find request using the fields in the layout you see. Type Sometimes you need to find records that match more than one
the criteria you want to search for directly into the fields on the criterion in a single field. For example, you may need to find all
request. members located in either New York or London. This type of search
2. Type USA in the Country field. is commonly referred to as an OR search, because your found set will
consist of records that match any one of the find criteria.
3. Type New in the Membership Type field.
To perform an OR search in FileMaker Pro, you will need to use
4. Click the Find button in the status area. multiple find requests.
1 Type the first search criterion into the appropriate field of the first
Find Mode is find request.
currently
selected 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:
Find
button 1. Choose View menu > Find Mode.
2. Type New York in the City field.
3. Choose Requests menu > Add New Request.
Lesson 3 | Finding and sorting records 17
Notice that the status area shows that there are two requests.
Number of requests
Symbols
4. Type London in the City field of this second request. pop-up menu
5. Click Find in the status area.

Your find request returns a found set of six records for six members
who live in either New York or London.
Your find request should now have 1/1/2008... in the Date Paid
Find records that match a range of criteria field.
in the same field 4. Immediately after the ellipsis (...), type 6/30/2008.
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 5. Click Find.
sales invoices numbered between 500 and 1000.
Your search returns six records, for six members who paid their fees
To perform this type of search in FileMaker Pro, you use a special
within the first six months of the year 2008.
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 Narrow your search
January 1, 2008 and June 30, 2008: Sometimes, you might need to find records that match certain criteria
1. Choose View menu > Find Mode. while at the same time excluding others (for example, finding all of
2. Type 1/1/2008 in the Date Paid field. the records that were added in a given year except for those added in
February, or finding all customers who reside in New York state
3. In the status area, click the Symbols pop-up menu. Select range
except for those in New York City). You can perform these types of
from the list, or type an ellipsis (...).
finds by using a combination of multiple find requests and omitting
certain records.
Because FileMaker Pro processes multiple find requests in the order Sort your found set
they are created, it is possible to create very specific, layered
searches in this manner. Omitting records in a search does not delete Once you have a found set of records to work with, you might want
them from the database. to sort those records. For example, you might want to display the
records in alphabetical order, or sort them from newest to oldest.
To find the records of members who paid their fees in the first six
To sort records in alphabetical order by the members’ last names:
months of 2008, except for those who paid their fees in February:
1. Go to the Layout pop-up menu and choose the Club List layout.
1. Choose View menu > Find Mode.
This layout will make it easier to see the results of the sorting.
2. Type 1/1/2008 in the Date Paid field.
2. Choose Records menu > Sort Records.
3. In the status area, click the Symbols pop-up menu. Select range
3. If any fields appear in the Sort Order column on the right side of
from the list, or type an ellipsis.
the dialog box, click Clear All.
4. After the ellipsis, type 6/30/2008.
4. In the list of available fields, select Last Name and click Move.
5. Choose Requests menu > Add New Request. Notice that the status
area shows that this is the second request.
6. Type 2/1/2008 in the Date Paid field.
7. In the status area, click the Symbols pop-up menu and select range
from the list, or type an ellipsis.
8. After the ellipsis, type 2/29/2008 in the Date Paid field.
Sort direction buttons
9. Click Omit in the status area to select it. become active when
a field is selected
Notice the sort direction symbol to the right of the Last Namefield
increases in size from left to right. This indicates that when the
Omit checkbox
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 in alphabetical order by last name.
10. Click Find. 6. Choose Records menu > Show All Records.
Your search returns five records for five members who paid their fees 7. When you are finished with this lesson, close the file by choosing
within the first six months of 2008, except the month of February. File menu > Close.
Lesson 3 | Finding and sorting records 19
For more information

You have found records based on a variety of criteria, and narrowed
your searches by using Omit. You have sorted the results of your
searches. 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 4. For File name, type MyFile.fp7.
existing data. Now you will create your own file and add records. 5. Click Save.
In this lesson you will:
The Manage Database dialog box appears. By default, FileMaker
1 create a simple database Pro creates a table for you, with the same name as your file.
1 define fields to hold different types of data You will now create fields to store information.
1 create records 6. To create the first field, type First Name in the Field Name box.
1 enter data 7. Notice that the field type is Text.
1 modify data
1 delete records
1 insert data in a container field
Create a simple database and define fields

About field definitions Name
a field
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). For example, you can’t search for
text values in a field of type Number.
Specify the field type
You will learn about other field types in later lessons.
8. Click Create.
Create a database 9. Type Last Name in the Field Name box, then click Create.
1. Choose File menu > New Database. 10. Type Fee Paid in the Field Name box, select Number from the
2. If you see the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, choose Create empty Type list, then click Create.
database, then click OK. If not, go to step 3. 11. Type Date Paid in the Field Name box, select Date from the
3. Go to the Tutorial folder and select it as the location for this file. Type list, then click Create.
12. Type Container in the Field Name box, select Container from the The completed record should look like this:
Type list, then click Create.
13. Click OK.
You see the empty fields in a new, blank record. Field labels identify
the fields. Your file is ready for data entry.
Enter data here
Field labels
Create another record
1. Choose Records menu > 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. Click the book icon to see
Note FileMaker Pro automatically saves your changes as you work. each record.
Copy data with drag and drop

Enter data into the database
1. Switch to View as List.
Now you can begin to enter members’ data.
2. Choose Records menu > New Record and enter a First Name and
Create the first record Last Name of your choice.
3. Select the text in the Fee Paid field in record 2.
1. If you don’t see field boxes, press Tab to begin data entry.
4. Drag the highlighted text to the Fee Paid field in record 3 and
2. Type Jane in the First Name field.
release the mouse.
3. Press Tab to move to the next field.
Note If you can’t drag the text, drag and drop might not be turned
4. Type Doe in the Last Name field. on in FileMaker Pro. To turn on drag and drop, choose
5. Type 25 in Fee Paid. Edit menu > Preferences (Windows) or FileMaker Pro menu >
Preferences (Mac OS). Under General, select Allow drag and drop
You will learn how to format number fields to display as currency in
text selection, click OK, then repeat steps 3 and 4.
the next lesson.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the Date Paid field.
6. Type 11/11/2009 in Date Paid.
6. Switch back to View as Form.
Lesson 4 | Creating a database and entering records 23
Modify data in a record Insert a file in a container field

Suppose you realize that Jane Doe paid 75 dollars, not 25. You can A container field can store pictures, QuickTime files, sounds you
easily correct the entry. record, or any other type of file that you want to track in a database.
1. Go to the first record. 1. Go to the first record.
2. Select the amount in Fee Paid. 2. Select the container field.
3. Choose Insert menu > File.
4. Choose the logo.gif file located in the Tutorial folder.
5. Click Open.
The GIF filename

and icon are
displayed in the
container field
The text in the Fee Paid field is selected
3. Type the new amount, 75.

4. Click an empty area outside the field to save the change. 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.
Delete a record 6. When you are finished with this lesson, close the file by choosing
File menu > Close.
1. Go to the third record you created.
2. Choose Records menu > Delete Record.
3. Click Delete in the confirmation dialog box.
You have created a simple database and defined fields, then added,
Notice in the status area that only two records remain in the database.
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.
Lesson 5
Customizing what you see
You can enhance the way your data looks by adding graphics and About customizing layouts
other effects.
Design layouts in Layout mode. You can include any combination of
fields, text, and graphics on a layout. You can change the font and
1 learn how layouts determine what you see color of fields and text and you can change the way data appears in
1 add, resize, and move fields Number or Date fields. For example, you can set a Number field to
1 add a tab panel and change its color include currency notation or you can set a Date field to include the
day of the week with the month, day, and year.
1 display values in a number field as currency
Changes you make in Layout mode affect only the way data appears.
1 change text size, style, and color The data itself remains as it was entered.
1 add graphics
1 see where to find other ways you can customize a layout
Resize, move, and add a field
About layouts and tables Select and resize a field
Each layout is based on a single table, and shows records from that 1. Open Sample Copy.fp7 in the Tutorial folder.
table. If your file contains only one table, all layouts in your file will 2. Choose View menu > Layout Mode.
be based on that table. If your file contains more than one table, you
3. Choose Data Entry from the Layout pop-up menu.
must choose which table your layout will use at the time you create
the layout, although you can change this later if necessary. 4. In Layout mode, click the First Name field to select it.
The table you choose as the basis for your layout is important Click to select
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.
Click and drag the
For more information on relationships, see lesson 10, “Making handle to resize
databases relational.”
5. 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.
6. Choose View menu > Browse Mode.
7. Click Save to save changes to this layout, if prompted. Add a field

FileMaker Pro can save layout changes automatically, or prompt you If a field has been defined in a table, you can display it on any layout
to save changes before leaving Layout mode. To save layout changes based on that table. In this database, a defined field is not on this
automatically, select the Save layout changes automatically checkbox layout. You will add this field now.
in the Save changes to this layout dialog box.
Note You can also place fields from other tables on your layouts, as
8. In Browse mode, flip through the records. explained in Lesson 10.
If the field doesn’t display all names completely, return to Layout
mode and make the field larger. 1. Choose View menu > Layout Mode.
9. Repeat this process for Last Name. 2. Using the Field tool, drag the field to the Contact info tab.
Move a field
1. Choose View menu > Layout Mode.
2. Click inside the Last Name field and drag it beside the First Name field.
In the next steps, you’ll align these fields.
3. Press Shift and click the First Name field to add it to your selection. Field tool
Both the First Name and Last Name fields are selected.
Drag the new field

4. Choose Arrange menu > Align > Top Edges.
The Last Name field moves until it aligns with the top of the 3. In the Specify Field dialog box, select Member Since, select
First Name field. Create Label, then click OK.
5. Drag the Last Name field label above the Last Name field. The new field appears on the layout.
6. Drag the First Name field label above the First Name field. 4. Resize the new field by dragging a right handle so the field is the
same size as the Date Paid field.
7. Experiment with the Align commands to align the field labels with
each other.
8. Choose View menu > Browse Mode to see your results.
Lesson 5 | Customizing what you see 27
5. Select the Text tool. 13. Choose View menu > Browse Mode to see the new field.
14. Choose Records menu > New Record.
You see a year date entered in the Member Since field in the new
Text tool
record. The current year will be entered in the Member Since field in
each subsequent new record.
Add a tab panel

2. Select the Contact info tab panel.
6. Select the Member Since field label and highlight the text.
7. Choose Format menu > Text.
8. Select 12 for Size, Plain for Style, and dark gray for Color.
Select Plain for Style
Select 12 for Size
Select dark gray

for color
3. Choose Format menu > Tab Control Setup.

9. Click OK. 4. In the Tab Control Setup dialog box, enter Membership info
10. Select the Selection tool . for Tab Name.
11. Select the Member Since field, and drag it to align it with the 5. Click Create, then OK.
Date Paid field. You see the new tab panel to the right of the Contact Info tab.
Note You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move a
selected layout object in small increments.
12. Select the Member Since field label and repeat step 11.
6. In the Contact info tab panel, select the Company, Membership Type, Display a number as currency
Fee Paid, Date Paid, and Member Since fields and their labels.
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.
2. In the Membership info tab panel, select the Fee Paid field.
3. Choose Format menu > Number.
4. Select options as shown in the following Number Format dialog box.
7. Choose Edit menu > Cut.

8. Select the Membership info tab panel.
5. Click OK.
6. Choose View menu > Browse Mode to see the formatted data.
9. Choose Edit menu > Paste Layout Object(s) (Windows) or Note You might need to browse to another record to see formatted
Paste (Mac OS). data in the Fee Paid field.
10. With the fields and labels selected, drag to position them near the
top of the tab panel.
Add color to a tab panel
You will change the color of the Membership info tab panel to match
the color of the header.
3. Select the Membership info tab panel.
11. Choose View menu > Browse Mode to see your results.
Lesson 5 | Customizing what you see 29
4. Choose the fill color palette. Change text size and color
1. Select the Text tool .
Fill color palette
2. Click the The Corporate Travelers Club text to select the
text block.

The Text Format dialog box appears.
5. Choose Other Color from the fill color palette. 4. Choose Custom from the Size list, type 25 and click OK.
6. Mac OS: Select the sliders icon and choose RGB Sliders from 5. For Style, choose Italic.
the Colors dialog box pop-up menu. (Windows users can skip this step.) 6. For Color, choose another color.
7. Enter these values in the Color dialog box: 7. Click OK.
Color Value
Red 238
Add a graphic to the layout
Green 238
Next you will add a logo beside the club name.
Blue 238
1. Click to the left of the The Corporate Travelers Club text,
where you want to place the club logo.
8. Do one of the following:
You will see no change onscreen yet.
1 Windows: Click Add to Custom Colors, then OK.
2. Choose Insert menu > Picture.
1 Mac OS: Click OK.
3. Open the Tutorial folder.
The color of the Membership info tab panel now matches the color
4. Make sure all file types are showing, and select logo.gif.
of the header.
5. Click Open.
6. Drag the logo or text block to move it, if necessary.
7. Choose View menu > Browse Mode to see the finished layout.
8. When you are finished with this lesson, close the file by choosing
File menu > Close.

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.
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.
2. Open Sample Copy.fp7.
3. Choose View menu > Layout Mode. 9. Click Next.
4. Choose Layouts menu > New Layout/Report. 10. Click Next again to accept the default sort order.
5. For Layout Name, type List of Members. 11. Select Standard from the list of layout themes, and click Next.
6. Select Columnar list/report for the new layout type and click Next. 12. Click Next on each of the two remaining panels to accept the
defaults.
7. Select the Columnar list/report layout again, then click Next.
13. Click Finish.
8. Double-click each of the following fields in the order you want it
to appear in the list: The data in all records for the fields Last Name, First Name, Company,
and Membership Type appears in the List of Members layout. The
1 Last Name completed layout is displayed in Preview mode, which shows items
1 First Name as they will appear when printed.
1 Company
1 Membership Type
These fields move to the Layout fields list.
Create mailing labels

About label layouts
Label 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 label layout

In this section, you will use the New Layout/Report assistant to:
1 create a label layout
1 select fields to include on the labels
Create the label
1. Choose View menu > Layout Mode. 2. After <<First Name>>, type a space.
2. Choose Layouts menu > New Layout/Report. 3. Double-click Last Name in the list.
3. For Layout Name, type Labels. 4. After <<Last Name>>, press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS).
4. Select Labels for the new layout type. This moves the cursor to the next line.
5. Click Next. 5. Double-click Home Address 1 in the list, then press Enter (Windows)
or Return (Mac OS).
6. Choose Avery 5160 from the Use label measurements for list.
6. Double-click Home Address 2 in the list, then press Enter (Windows)
7. Click Next.
or Return (Mac OS).
Now you’re ready to specify the label contents.
7. Double-click City in the list.
Choose the fields that will appear on the labels 8. Type a comma, then a space.
1. Double-click First Name in the list. 9. Double-click Country in the list.
<<First Name>> appears in the Label Contents area. Angle brackets Now you have set up the merge fields. Your label contents should
around the field name indicate this is a merge field and data (in this look like this:
case the first name in the record) will appear on labels rather than the
placeholder text “First Name.” The insertion point flashes.
Lesson 6 | Creating lists, mailing labels, and form letters 33
10. Click Next. 4. Select Blank layout for the new layout type.
11. Select View in Layout mode. 5. Click Finish.
12. Click Finish. Because this letter will not use a header or footer, you will delete
13. When you finish viewing your label layout, choose View menu > them now.
Preview Mode. 6. On the layout, click the Header tab, then press Backspace
You see a page of labels as it will print. (Windows) or Delete (Mac OS).
Notice that not all records have the same number of lines of text. 7. Click the Footer tab, then press Backspace (Windows) or Delete
Records with four-line addresses display all lines. In records needing (Mac OS).
only three lines, the extra line is automatically omitted so there is no 8. Drag the Body tab down to about 11 inches.
blank line in the labels. When you release the mouse button, you will see the page boundary.
If you don’t see the page boundary, drag the Body tab down farther.
Body tab Page boundary
9. Now drag the Body tab up to just above the page boundary.
The page boundary line will disappear. Dragging the body tab above
Create a form letter the page boundary limits your form letter to a single page.
10. Use the scroll bar at the bottom of the screen to scroll a few
About form letter layouts inches to the right.
A form letter in FileMaker Pro is simply a layout containing text. For You see a heavy dotted line along the right side. This is the right-side
this letter, you will include merge fields so the appropriate company page boundary. Your letter will be within these boundaries.
information appears for the address and salutation, and for the 11. Scroll back all the way to the left.
company name in the body of the letter. A graphic is included that
12. Scroll up to the top of the layout.
depicts the travel club’s logo.
Create a one-page blank layout Create the text block

You will create a text block with a 2 inch margin on all sides.
2. Choose Layouts menu > New Layout/Report.
3. For Layout Name, type Welcome Letter.
2. Drag a rectangle starting about 2 inches from the top left side of Type the letter
the layout, and ending about 2 inches from the bottom right side, as 1. Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS) twice to create two
indicated by the page boundary lines. line spaces at the end of the address.
When you release the mouse, the insertion point flashes in the top left 2. Start the salutation line: type Dear and a space.
of the text box. You will type the letter inside this box.
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.
5. Type the letter:
The Corporate Travelers Club welcomes you and
your company to our organization.
The Text tool We look forward to doing business with you and
is selected 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 this special underlining in this file, choose File menu >
File Options. In the File Options dialog box, click the Spelling tab.
Add the address Clear Indicate questionable words with special underline.
1. Choose Insert menu > Merge Field.
2. Select First Name in the list and click OK.
3. Type a space. Clear this checkbox
4. Choose Insert menu > Merge Field. to turn off underlining
of misspelled words
5. Select Last Name in the list and click OK.
6. Move to the next line (enter a line space):
1 Windows: Press the Enter key above the Shift key on the keyboard.
1 Mac OS: Press Return.
7. Add merge fields for the street address, city, and country, with
appropriate spaces, new lines, and punctuation.
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.
Lesson 6 | Creating lists, mailing labels, and form letters 35
Customize the letter with the company name For more information
1. Click after the word company in the first paragraph. In this lesson, you have created list, label, and form-letter layouts.
2. Type a comma and a space. You can create as many layouts as you like, to organize your
information in any way you like. To learn how to create other
3. Insert a merge field for the company name.
layouts, see lesson 9 in this tutorial and chapter 3 in the
4. Type another comma. FileMaker Pro User’s Guide. For information about turing off
spelling checking in specific fields in a file, see FileMaker Pro Help.
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.
5. Choose View menu > Browse Mode to see your personalized letter,
ready to print, for every record in the database.
See “Add a graphic to the layout” on page 29 to learn how to add a

logo to the letterhead.
File menu > Close.
Lesson 7
Simplifying data entry
You can simplify the way you enter data in FileMaker Pro and 7. Click in the large box and enter the values for this list, New and
improve accuracy by using value lists, calculation fields, and data Continuing, by typing each value on its own line.
auto-entry.
1 see how value lists can aid 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 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. They are an efficient way to enter
frequently used values into your database.
8. Click OK to close the Edit Value List dialog box.

9. Click OK to finish.
A value list with predefined values, displayed as radio buttons
Assign a value list to a field and display it as radio buttons
Define a value list
2. Select the Membership info tab, if it is not already displayed.
3. Choose Data Entry from the Layout pop-up menu if it is not already 3. Select the Membership Type field.
selected.
4. Choose File menu > Manage > Value Lists.
5. Click New.
4. Choose Format menu > Field/Control > Setup.
6. Name the new value list by typing Membership Types.
5. For Display as, choose Radio Button Set.
6. For Display values from, choose Membership Types. The calculation formula uses values from the current record or
related records. The formula can use values from all field types. You
Select Radio Button Set 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.
Select Membership Types 1. Switch to Layout mode.
value list
2. Select the Membership info tab panel to bring it forward.
7. Click OK. Your radio buttons should be visible in Layout mode.
3. Choose 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.
Membership Type field
formatted as radio buttons
8. In Browse mode, test your value list and buttons by clicking them.
Generate values with a calculation field

When you want FileMaker Pro to perform a calculation for you, for Select Calculation
example to determine the amount of tax owed or the proper fee to be
7. Click Create.
paid, you use a calculation field. Calculation fields are one of the
FileMaker Pro field types. FileMaker Pro can perform simple and The Specify Calculation dialog box appears.
complex calculations.
Lesson 7 | Simplifying data entry 39
8. Scroll through the list of functions in the upper-right corner of the

Specify Calculation dialog box until you locate The completed
calculation
If (test ; resultOne ; resultTwo). Double-click this function so that it
appears in this dialog box.
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. 13. Click OK.
If you receive an error message, make sure that all spaces and
Field list Function list 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.
16. Notice that the format of the Renewal Fee label does not match
Replace these
the format of other labels in the sample database.
placeholders 17. Select the Renewal Fee label.
with your
calculation
19. Select 12 for Size and Plain for Style, and dark gray for color.
Verify the type of data to be 20. Click OK.

returned by the calculation
Your calculation formula is now complete. When data is entered in
9. Select the placeholder test and type: the Membership Type field, FileMaker Pro will compare it to the
word we are testing for, “Continuing.” The test is true if it matches
Membership Type = “Continuing” this word, and the calculation will return your first result, 100. If it
exactly as it appears here. doesn’t match, the test is false, and the second result is returned.
10. Select the placeholder resultOne, and type 100.
Test your calculation
11. Select the placeholder resultTwo, and type 200.
To see if your calculation works, switch to Browse mode and try
12. Make sure the calculation result is set to Number.
changing the value in the Membership Type field to Continuing.
Notice the result in the Renewal Fee field—it changes as the
membership type changes.
Automatically enter a serial number 11. Test your new field entry option by choosing Records menu >
New Record. Each time you create a new record, the value in the
FileMaker Pro lets you automatically enter certain types of data—for Member Number field increments by one.
example, incremental numbers—when you create a new record.
Create a field for serial numbers File menu > Close.
1. Switch to Layout mode.

3. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab if it is not You have learned how to simplify data entry by defining and
already selected. formatting value lists, calculation fields, and auto-entered serial
numbers. For more information on calculation fields and field
4. For Field Name, type Member Number.
auto-enter options, as well as defining and formatting value lists, see
5. Select Number as the field type. FileMaker Pro Help.
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.
Select Serial
number
9. Click OK, then click OK again to close the dialog box.

The new field appears at the bottom of the layout. (You might need
to scroll down to see it.)
10. Switch to Browse mode.
Lesson 8
Automating tasks with buttons and scripts
FileMaker Pro lets you automate many database tasks with buttons 7. In the Button Setup dialog box, select the Go to Layout command
and scripts. These powerful features can save you a lot of time by from the list.
performing a series of actions with a single click.
8. In the Options area, select the Club List layout.
9. Select Rounded button for button style.
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
1 find records using a script
Specify the
Club List
layout
Perform a task using a button
A button is an object on a layout that you can click to perform many Select
FileMaker Pro commands. You can use a button to switch layouts in Rounded
button
your database.
Create the button

10. Click OK.
11. Notice that the insertion point is now in the center of your button.
2. Open Sample Copy.fp7. Type Go to Club List in your button to identify it.
3. Choose Data Entry from the Layout pop-up menu, if it is not
12. Click outside the button.
already selected.
If you need to move the button, select it and drag it to the desired
4. Select View menu > Layout Mode to switch to Layout mode.
location, as with any other layout element.
5. Select the Button tool .
To test your button, go to Browse mode and click it. The button takes
6. Draw the button at the top of the layout.
you to the Club List layout.
Place the button here
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 Assign a script to a button
perform a single task, while complex scripts might combine
While buttons are generally more convenient for users, scripts are a
elements (such as user feedback and control) with programming
more powerful feature, allowing you to combine many menu
techniques (such as branching and looping) to make powerful,
commands into a single executable action. Using a button to run a
dynamic instruction sets. script gives you the best of both features.
Create a script to preview the Labels layout To assign the script you just created to the button you created earlier:
1. Choose Scripts menu > ScriptMakerTM.
2. Click to create a new script.
3. Double-click the button you created earlier in this lesson.
3. In the Script Name text box, type Preview Labels Layout.
4. In the Button Setup dialog box, select the Perform Script script step
4. Select the Go to Layout script step and click the Move button. (You near the top of the list on the left.
can also select and move script steps by double-clicking them.)
5. In the Script Step Options area, select the Labels layout in Specify.
6. From the list on the left, scroll down and select the Enter Preview
Mode script step, and move it over to your script.
The finished
script
7. Close the Edit Script dialog box, click Save, then close Manage
Scripts dialog box.
8. To run the script you have just created, choose Scripts menu >
Preview Labels Layout. FileMaker Pro displays the Labels layout and 5. In the Options area, for Current Script click Specify. Select Preview
switches to Preview mode. Labels Layout from the list of available scripts, and click OK. Leave the
rest of the default button settings as they are and click OK.
Lesson 8 | Automating tasks with buttons and scripts 43
Rename the button

2. Click the button once. The text insertion point appears in the button.
3. Type Preview Labels Layout to rename this button. It may
be necessary to resize this button after renaming it.
Test the button

1. In Browse mode, test the button by clicking it.
Clicking this button performs the script, which displays the Labels
layout and switches to Preview mode.
The Find script appears. Comments that describe how the script
2. Close Sample Copy.fp7 by choosing File menu > Close.
works appear in bold text.
Find records using a script

You can test a more complex script in the Purchase Orders Starter
Solution that you created in lesson 2.
2. Open Purchase Orders.fp7.
3. Add four records, entering ABC Company in the Supplier field in
two records and DEF Ltd. in the Supplier field in two records.
4. Click the Find button under the Purchase Orders heading in
the file.
5. Enter ABC in the Supplier field.
FileMaker Pro completes the company name for you. 3. Close the Edit Script “Find” in “Purchase Orders” dialog box, then
6. Click Continue in the status area. close the Manage Scripts for “Purchase Orders” dialog box.
The Find script finds all records that match your request and displays 4. When you are finished with this lesson, close the file by choosing
them in list view. File menu > Close.
View the script

1. Choose Scripts menu > ScriptMaker.
In this lesson, you have created buttons and scripts, and used these
2. Double-click Find in the list of scripts.
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 Create a subsummary report
called reporting. Summary reports present just the totals of your
data; they do not break information into smaller groups. To create the Membership Type Report:
Subsummary reports, also referred to as reports with grouped data, 1. Open the Tutorial folder on your hard drive.
categorize information by a particular field or fields, allowing you to 2. Open Sample Copy.fp7.
group information hierarchically. This subsummarized information
3. In Layout mode, choose Layouts menu > New Layout/Report.
can then be subtotaled, averaged, or counted.
4. For Layout Name type Membership Type Report.
1 generate a report with grouped data 5. Select Columnar list/report for the new layout type and click Next.
1 generate a report with grouped data and totals

1 save a report as an Adobe PDF file and send it as an email attachment
Generate a report with grouped data

About subsummary reports
A report with grouped data requires a number of elements to work
properly.
Subsummary reports include:
1 a subsummary part in the report layout for each level of detail you
want to break out. The New Layout/Report assistant creates these for
you.
1 a field or fields to group records by. These fields are referred to as
break fields.
1 records sorted by these break fields, in the order the subsummary
parts appear on your report layout.
6. Select Report with grouped data, and click Next. 4. Click Next.
5. Move the Membership Type field to the Report categories list to
organize the records by membership type.
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. Membership Type is referred to as a break field because you are
2. Select and move the Last Name field. using the contents of this field to break the records into categories for
your report.
3. Select and move the First Name field.
6. Click Next.
7. 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 to enable FileMaker Pro to group records by this category.
Lesson 9 | Creating and running reports 47
8. Click Next. 6. Click Next.
Select a theme and create the header and footer Create a script to run this report again
1. Select the Standard theme to set the text size, color, and style of 1. Click Create a script.
the finished report. 2. Leave Script name as it appears, and click Next.
2. Click Next. 3. Click View the report in Preview mode if it is not already selected.
3. Go to the Top center list in the Header area and select 4. Click Finish.
Large Custom Text.
You are in Preview mode so that you can view summarized data on
4. Type Membership Type Report for the header of the report the screen. The members are grouped by their membership type, then
and click OK. further alphabetized by last name within each membership category.
5. Go to the Bottom center list and select Page Number to number the
pages in the report’s footer. Note Depending on experimentation you may have done in earlier
lessons, your finished report may not look like the report pictured
below.
Two additional elements are also required:

1 a grand summary layout part
1 summary field(s) to display totals, averages, or counts
Create a report with grouped data and totals

This report groups data by
the Membership Type field, To create the Membership Fee Report:
also referred to as
the break field 1. In Layout mode, choose Layouts menu > New Layout/Report.
2. For Layout Name, type Membership Fee Report.
3. Select Columnar list/report for the new layout type and click Next.
4. Select Report with grouped data and then select Include subtotals and
Include grand totals.
Generate 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
5. Click Next.
1 provides a grand total of these fees
A report with grouped data and totals requires the same elements as Select the fields used in this report
a report with grouped data: a subsummary part in the report layout 1. Select the first field to be used in this report, Membership Type,
for each category, a field or fields to group records by, and a sort of and move it to the Layout fields list.
the database by these fields. 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 organize the records by Membership Type, so move
this field to the Report categories list, then Click Next.
6. 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.
7. Click Next.
Specify subtotals and grand totals

A summary field is a type of field you can specify when you define
fields. 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 must use a summary field. 5. Click Next.
In the Membership Fee Report, you want to see subtotals for fees 6. For Summary field, click Specify and select Membership Revenue
paid by each type of member, New and Continuing, and to see a from the list of available fields, then click OK.
grand total of both groups’ fees at the end of the report. To
This tells FileMaker Pro to use the Membership Revenue field in the
accomplish this, you need to specify subtotal and grand total
grand total.
summary fields in the New Layout/Report Assistant.
7. Click Add Grand Total to add the Membership Revenue field as the
The summary field you will use is Membership Revenue, which has
grand total at the end of the report. This tells FileMaker Pro to create
already been defined for you. Membership Revenue totals the fees
a grand total of membership 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.
8. 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.
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 to run this report again Subtotals

1. Click Create a script.
2. Leave Script Name as it appears. Click Next.
3. Click View the report in Preview mode if it is not already selected.
4. Click Finish. Grand Total
You are in Preview mode so that you can view summarized data on
the screen. 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.
Save and send a report as a PDF file For more information

After you run a report, you can save it as an Adobe PDF file and send In this lesson, you generated reports with grouped data, and
it as an email attachment. reports with grouped data and totals. You also saved a report as a
1. Choose File menu > Save/Send Records As > PDF. PDF file and sent it as an email attachment. For more information on
creating reports, see FileMaker Pro Help.
2. For Save in, select the Tutorial folder, if it is not already selected.
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.
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 then address and send.
File menu > Close.
Lesson 10
Making databases relational
Relational databases let you easily view related data and streamline When you work with tables in the relationships graph, you are using
data entry. You can enter data once, then view and use that data in them to organize your view into your data. Each table occurrence in
related tables or files. the relationships graph represents a separate view into your data.
In this lesson, you will: When you create a relationship between two tables, you make the
data stored in either table accessible to the other table, according to
1 see how relational databases work
the match fields and the criteria you establish for the relationship.
1 define a relationship
5. In the Members table, click the Company field and drag a line to
1 display data from one related record the Company field in the Companies table.
1 display a list of related records The Company field is the match field.
The sample file in this lesson uses two tables:

1 a Members table with records for individual Corporate Travelers
Club members
1 a Companies table for companies where these members work.
Each company has many members.
Display a related record in a file 6. Release the mouse button. You see the relationship you have created.
Define a relationship to another table

The file contains the tables, but not the relational structure. You will
build the structure now.
4. Click the Relationships tab. The relationship is based on matching data in the Company field in
You see the relationships graph. The relationships graph shows all both tables. Records are related when data in the Company field in
the tables in the current file. one table matches the data in the Company field in the other table.
7. Click OK.
Display data from a related record 8. Move the fields if necessary, and make the fields large enough to
display all the data they contain. The fields should look like this:
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. Choose View menu > Layout Mode. 9. Choose View menu > Browse Mode and flip through the records to
3. Using the Field tool , drag a field onto the layout. view company addresses from the Companies table in the Corporate
You see the Specify Field dialog box displaying the list of fields in Account Information layout that is based on the Members table.
this table.
4. Click Current Table (“Members”) and choose the Companies table Display a list of related records
from the list.
The relationship you made between the Members and Companies
You now see a list of the fields in the related table Companies. The tables displays data (company addresses) from the Companies table.
colons (::) before each field name show that these are related fields, Next, you will use the same relationship to display data (member
not fields defined in the Members table you are currently working in. names) from the Members table. Relationships are bidirectional.
These related fields will display data from the related table.
Create a portal to display matching records
Choose the table You can add a portal on a layout to display data from related fields.
from the table
pop-up menu 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 the relationship
must be edited 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.
5. Click ::Company Address.
6. Select Create label (if it’s not already selected), then click OK.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 for ::City and ::Country.
Lesson 10 | Making databases relational 55
4. At the bottom of the dialog box under Members, select Add the fields in the portal
Allow creation of records in this table via this relationship. This lets you
add a name to the Members list. 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. Use the Text tool and create field labels for the First Name and
Last Name field labels above their respective fields in the portal.
The portal should look like this when you are done.
Select this
checkbox 5. Choose View menu > Browse Mode to view your list of members.
5. Click OK, then click OK again to close the Manage Database dialog
box.
6. Use the Book icon or slider to move to the first company record Click here to enter
Displays a list of
a new member members from
(ABC Company). for this company the related table
6. Test your new structure: type the name of a new member at ABC
8. Select the Portal tool and draw a box to hold the list of names.
Company, then look to see if it appears in the Data Entry layout. (It
9. In the Portal Setup dialog box, show related records from the will be the last record.)
Members table.
When you added the new member, the relationship automatically
10. Select Show vertical scroll bar. created a record for him or her in the Members table. ABC Company
11. Leave the Initial row value at 1. Change the Number of rows is automatically entered into the match field because the name was
value to 7. added to the portal of the ABC Company record.
12. Click OK. 7. When you are finished with this lesson, close the file by choosing
File menu > Close.

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.
Lesson 11
Sharing and exchanging data
You can share data over a network using FileMaker Pro, Enable FileMaker network sharing
FileMaker Server, or via the Internet using Instant Web Publishing.
You can also share data by importing it into FileMaker Pro files from If your computer is connected to a network, you and other FileMaker
other applications or exporting it from FileMaker Pro files to other Pro users can use the same database file simultaneously.
applications. Important Your FileMaker Pro licensing agreement requires that
In this lesson you will learn: you purchase a license for each separate computer on which the
FileMaker Pro application is installed. Each software license may
1 how to enable network sharing of FileMaker Pro files
not be shared or used concurrently on different computers. The first
1 how to import data into a FileMaker Pro file person to open a shared file is the host. Any user who opens a shared
file after the host is a client.
About sharing data
FileMaker Network Sharing You can share FileMaker Pro
databases on your network, which allows up to nine FileMaker Pro The host opens the file
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 to share files, which provides greater
networking performance and allows up to 250 users to access a file
simultaneously.
Instant Web Publishing You can 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.
Importing and exporting data 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
Clients open connections to the shared file
database or spreadsheet program, or export address data in order to
create personalized form letters with a word processing program. Once a shared file is open, the host and clients have access to the same
When you import or export data, the data is copied to the destination information, and all changes to the file appear in each user’s window.
file, not shared between the applications.
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 Opening a remote file
settings are specific to each user.
A file is considered remote when it is stored on a networked
To enable FileMaker network sharing:
computer other than the computer you are using. After a host opens
1. Open the Tutorial folder on your hard drive. a shared file, up to nine users can open the remote file as clients.
2. Open Sample Copy.fp7. To open a remote file:
Note To enable or change a file’s sharing status in your own files, 1. Choose File menu > Open Remote.
you must open them with an account that has Manage extended 2. For View, select Local Hosts to see a list of hosts.
privilege set access privileges. You will learn about accounts,
passwords, and privilege sets in lesson 12. 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
3. Choose File menu > Sharing > FileMaker Network. Open Remote File dialog box.
4. In the FileMaker Network Settings dialog box, for Network Sharing,
click On. Select to see a
list of hosts
In the TCP/IP Address box, you see the TCP/IP address of your system.
To narrow down
the list, type a
few letters of the
file you are
looking for
Click to
enable Select the file
network you want
sharing to open
Or, type the

network path
of the file you
Select the computer that is want to open
hosting the file you want to open
3. Select the host, then the file.

4. Click Open.
Select level of network access
for Sample Copy.fp7 Depending on how file sharing is set up on the host computer, you
might have to enter an account name, password, and domain name
5. Notice that Sample Copy.fp7 is selected.
(Windows only) to open the remote file.
6. Select All users for Network access to file.
7. Click OK.
Sample Copy is now hosted on your computer. You must keep this
file open to make it available to users on your network.
Lesson 11 | Sharing and exchanging data 59
About exchanging data About importing data

You can exchange information between FileMaker Pro and other There are several ways to import data into an existing file. You can:
applications by importing and exporting data. You can: 1 add new records to an existing table
1 import data into an existing FileMaker Pro file, either into a new 1 create a new table from imported data
table or into an existing table
1 update existing records in an existing table
1 share data with ODBC data sources
1 update matching records in an existing table
1 convert data from other applications to new FileMaker Pro files
Important Certain import operations that update existing records and
1 export data for use in other applications
update matching records overwrite existing data during the import
process, which cannot be undone. To safeguard your data, always
Saving and sending data
choose File menu > Save a Copy As to make a backup of the file before
You can save FileMaker Pro data as a Microsoft Excel file or an you perform an import that updates records.
Adobe 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 The file you import records from is the source. The file you import
file when you save it. You can also create scripts to save/send records records to is the target.
as Excel or PDF.
Import data into the sample file
FileMaker Pro can send email messages to one or more recipients.
You can manually enter recipients, the message subject, and so on, 1. Open Sample Copy.fp7 and select Data Entry from the
or you can use values from fields or calculations.You can also create Layout pop-up menu.
scripts to send emails. 2. Choose File menu > Import Records > File.
Supported import/export file formats 3. For Files of type (Windows) or Show (Mac OS), choose All files
(Windows) or All available (Mac OS), then choose MyFile.fp7.
Most applications store data in their own file format, but most can
MyFile.fp7 is the file you created in lesson 4. This is the source file.
also exchange information using intermediary formats. For example,
FileMaker Pro can import and/or export files in Microsoft Excel, 4. Click Open.
tab-separated text (tab), comma-separated values (csv), and XML, as The Import Field Mapping dialog box appears.
well as other formats.
5. For Target, select Current Table (“Members”).
If you want to exchange data with another program, check the
6. For Import Action, select Add new records.
documentation that came with that program to determine a common
intermediary file format that both FileMaker Pro and the other 7. Make sure that the First Name field in Source Fields is on the same
program support. row as the First Name field in Target Fields.
Note Most file formats do not import or export formatting such as You can move target fields up and down in the list using the slider.
font, size, style, and color. 8. Repeat step 7 for Last Name.
9. Make sure that an appears between both the First Name fields For more information
and the Last Name fields.
You have learned how to enable file sharing using FileMaker Pro
If you don’t see an between matching fields, click to change
and how to import data into a FileMaker Pro file. To learn more
the setting.
about sharing and importing data in FileMaker Pro, see the
The remaining fields should have a between them. The data in FileMaker Pro User’s Guide and FileMaker Pro Help. For
these fields will not be imported to the target file. information about publishing databases on the web, see the
FileMaker Instant Web Publishing Guide.
Source file to Arrows show that data will
import from import into the fields at right
Target file to
import to
Fields in the Fields in the

source file target file
Import action
10. Click Import.

11. In the Import Options dialog box, click Import.
12. In the Import Summary dialog box, click OK.
Records in MyFile.fp7 that contain first name and last name data are
added to Sample Copy.fp7. The current found set contains the newly
imported records. Browse the new records to verify the imported
data. Choose Records menu > Show All Records to see all records in
the file.
File menu > Close.
Lesson 12
Protecting data in FileMaker Pro
Although your operating system includes file security features, you The Admin account is not assigned a password and is assigned the
should use FileMaker Pro accounts and privileges to protect your Full Access privilege set, which permits access to everything in the
data. In FileMaker Pro, you restrict which users can access a file when file. The Guest account allows users to open a file without specifying
you protect files by defining accounts and passwords. The account an account name, is not assigned a password, and is assigned
name and password that users enter determine which privilege set is Read-Only privileges.
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 Predefined
protect your data accounts
Custom
1 How to create accounts, passwords, and privilege sets Accounts
Create an account and password

About accounts
Accounts authenticate users who attempt to open a protected file. An Passwords and access privileges for predefined accounts can be changed.
account includes an account name and usually a password. Accounts To create an account and password:
can be set up for individual users or you can create accounts that are 1. Open the Tutorial folder on your hard drive.
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 3. Choose File menu > Manage > Accounts & Privileges.
database file. However, it’s safer to create many accounts than to 4. Click New in the Accounts tab.
have multiple users share one account. Passwords are case-sensitive, 5. For Account is authenticated via, Choose FileMaker.
but account names are not.
6. For Account Name, type Le Nguyen.
When you create a database, two predefined accounts are created
7. For Password, type lnguyen.
(Admin and Guest) and three predefined privilege sets are available
(Full Access, Data Entry Only, and Read-Only Access). 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.
8. Select User must change password on next login. Create a privilege set
In most cases, an account that is shared by multiple users should not
force a password change upon first login. Instead, you should specify About privilege sets
a password and provide it to the users that need it. Also, the privilege
set for a shared account should not permit password changes because Privilege sets specify a level of access to a database file. In addition,
one user could change the password and lock out all other users who FileMaker Pro allows for extended privilege sets, which determine
share the account. sharing options for files.
9. For Account Status, select Active. Predefined privilege sets
10. For Privilege Set, choose [Read-Only Access]. Each new database file has three predefined privilege sets.
11. For Description, type Customer Service Agent. 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
Specify a password. You can’t change or delete predefined privilege sets
settings for except to enable or disable their extended privilege sets, but you can
this account
duplicate predefined privilege sets and modify the copy to use it in a
different way.
12. Click OK.

You see the new account listed with the default Guest and Admin
Predefined
accounts. privilege
sets
13. 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.
14. Click Allow to close the alert.
You see the Confirm Full Access Login dialog box. Custom privilege sets
While predefined privilege sets in FileMaker Pro provide for common
15. Type Admin for Full Access Account., leave Password blank, then
types of data access, creating unique privilege sets lets you limit
click OK.
access to specific aspects of a database, such as which layouts can be
Note For security purposes, always password-protect the Admin viewed, which menus are available, and whether printing is allowed.
account in files you create.
Lesson 12 | Protecting data in FileMaker Pro 63
Extended privilege sets If you’ve set up a database for Sharing, for example on a network or
Extended privilege sets determine the data sharing options that are via Instant Web Publishing, extended privileges are enabled in the
permitted by a privilege set, such as whether a privilege set permits Privilege Set dialog box.
users to open a shared file or view a database in a web browser. 8. Click OK.
Temp Staff appears in the privilege set list. This privilege set can be
Create a custom privilege set
used by one or more accounts.
Suppose your business relies on temporary staff at certain times of 9. Click OK.
the year. This staff needs to have access to your data, but you want
to prevent temporary employees from printing or exporting 10. Click Allow to close the alert.
information in your database. You can create a specific privilege set You see the Confirm Full Access Login dialog box.
for temporary staff that does not allow access to printing or exporting Type Admin for Full Access Account., leave Password blank, then
data. click OK.
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Accounts & Privileges.
11. When you are finished with this lesson, Exit or Quit
2. Click the Privilege Sets tab. FileMaker Pro to close all open files.
3. Select the [Data Entry Only] privilege set, then click Duplicate.
4. Data Entry Only Copy is selected. Click Edit. For more information
5. For Privilege Set Name, type Temp Staff. You have learned how to create accounts, passwords, and assign
6. For Description, type No printing or exporting for temp privilege sets to them. You have also learned how to create custom
staff. privilege sets and how they can be used for specific business reasons.
7. Clear Allow printing and Allow exporting. 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 13
Keeping your data safe
Power failures, disk problems, and other unexpected computer 5. Click Save.
problems can happen to anyone at any time. To help prevent data Important Next time, back up to a different disk or volume. Never
loss, regularly back up all important documents on your computer, back up over the only or most recent copy of your file. You should
including your databases. have several different backups at all times.
In this lesson you will learn:
1 how and when to back up your database
When to back up
1 where to learn about other ways to protect your files
You should back up:
1 as often as necessary to be sure you can restore all of your data in
How to back up your database an emergency.
There are many ways to back up a file. This is one way. 1 before you make a major or irreversible change like deleting records,
1. Determine the size of the database: deleting a field, or replacing data using the Import or Replace features.
Windows: Right-click the icon for the file, then choose Properties. Remember, it takes far less time to back up a file than it does to
Mac OS: Click the icon for the file, then choose File menu > Get Info. recreate a lost or damaged file!
2. Identify a disk or volume that has enough available space for a

copy of the database. For more information
3. Open the database you want to back up. This lesson has shown you one way to protect a database. For other
4. Choose File menu > Save a Copy As. ways to prevent and overcome difficulties with your files, see
FileMaker Pro Help.
Accept the default
filename for your
copy, or change
the name
Select the disk

and folder where
you want to save
your copy
Save a copy of
current file

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FileMaker Pro 9

Lesson 6 Assign a script to a button 42

Database concepts How is field data displayed?

About FileMaker Pro modes For more information

Current mode Filename

Mode pop-up menu

The current mode is

View information in different ways See a different layout

Thank you for reserving a cruise with us. We

The same data can be arranged differently with multiple layouts

Save a copy of the sample file

Create a file using a Starter Solution

Find records based on criteria in

5. Click Find in the status area.

For more information

Create a simple database and define fields

Enter data here

Copy data with drag and drop

Modify data in a record Insert a file in a container field

The GIF filename

3. Type the new amount, 75.

7. Click Save to save changes to this layout, if prompted. Add a field

Drag the new field

Add a tab panel

Select Plain for Style

Select 12 for Size

Select dark gray

3. Choose Format menu > Tab Control Setup.

7. Choose Edit menu > Cut.

3. Choose Format menu > Text.

For more information

Create a columnar list

Create mailing labels

Create a label layout

Body tab Page boundary

Create a one-page blank layout Create the text block

If a field is likely to contain words (such as names) that a spelling

See “Add a graphic to the layout” on page 29 to learn how to add a

Enter data using value lists

8. Click OK to close the Edit Value List dialog box.

Create a calculation field

Generate values with a calculation field

8. Scroll through the list of functions in the upper-right corner of the

Verify the type of data to be 20. Click OK.

1. Switch to Layout mode.

9. Click OK, then click OK again to close the dialog box.

Create the button

Perform a series of tasks using a script

Rename the button

Test the button

Find records using a script

View the script

1 generate a report with grouped data and totals

Generate a report with grouped data

Select the fields used in this report

8. Click Next. 6. Click Next.

Two additional elements are also required:

Create a report with grouped data and totals

Generate a report with grouped data and

Specify subtotals and grand totals

Select a theme and create the header and footer

Create a script to run this report again Subtotals