Register your product to gain access to bonus material or receive a coupon.
FileMaker Pro 13 Absolute Beginner's Guide
- By Tim Dietrich
- Published Dec 9, 2014 by Que. Part of the Absolute Beginner's Guide series.
Book
- Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
About
Features
- Practical, approachable, and packed with useful tips
- Covers all the basics: database planning, design, creation, security, layouts, tables, queries, sorting, reports, and much more
- Walks the reader through delivering FileMaker solutions on mobile devices via FileMaker Go
- By Tim Dietrich, leading FileMaker Pro database developer, consultant, and member of the elite FileMaker Business Alliance
Description
- Copyright 2015
- Edition: 1st
- Book
- ISBN-10: 0-7897-4884-3
- ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-4884-3
Make the most of FileMaker Pro 13–without becoming a technical expert! This book is the fastest way to create FileMaker Pro databases that perform well, are easy to manage, solve problems, and achieve your goals! Even if you’ve never used FileMaker Pro before, you’ll learn how to do what you want, one incredibly clear and easy step at a time. FileMaker Pro has never, ever been this simple!
Who knew how simple FileMaker® Pro 13 could be?
This is the easiest, most practical beginner’s guide to using the powerful new FileMaker Pro 13 database program…simple, reliable instructions for doing everything you really want to do!
Here’s a small sample of what you’ll learn:
• Get comfortable with the FileMaker Pro environment, and discover all you can do with it
• Create complete databases instantly with Starter Solutions
• Design custom databases that efficiently meet your specific needs
• Identify the right tables, fields, and relationships; create new databases from scratch
• Expand your database to integrate new data and tables
• Craft layouts that make your database easier and more efficient to use
• Quickly find, sort, organize, import, and export data
• Create intuitive, visual reports and graphs for better decision-making
• Use scripts to automate a wide variety of routine tasks
• Safeguard databases with accounts, privileges, and reliable backups
• Share data with colleagues running iPads, iPhones, Windows computers, or Macs
• Take your data with you through FileMaker Go
• Master expert tips and hidden features you’d never find on your own
• And much more…
Downloads
Downloads
Please download the files associated with Absolute Beginner's Guide to FileMaker Pro 13 here.
Sample Content
Online Sample Chapter
Working with Records in FileMaker Pro 13
Sample Pages
Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 4 and Index)
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1
About This Book ........................................................................................................ 2
Part 1: Getting to Know FileMaker Pro
1 Welcome to FileMaker Pro.....................................................................................5
What Is a Database? ................................................................................................. 6
Differences Between Databases and Spreadsheets .............................................. 7
The Power of Databases .........................................................................................11
Why FileMaker? .......................................................................................................12
Understanding the FileMaker Platform .................................................................13
What Can FileMaker Do for You? ..........................................................................14
2 Creating Your First Database...............................................................................17
Getting Started Tour ...............................................................................................18
FileMaker Quick Start ..............................................................................................19
Creating a Database Using a Starter Solution......................................................20
Saving and Closing a Database .............................................................................22
Quitting FileMaker ..................................................................................................22
3 Exploring FileMaker Pro .......................................................................................25
Opening a FileMaker Pro Database ......................................................................26
Opening a Recently Used Database ................................................................26
Opening Other Databases ................................................................................26
Menu Commands ....................................................................................................27
The File Menu .....................................................................................................28
The Edit Menu ....................................................................................................29
The View Menu ...................................................................................................29
The Insert Menu .................................................................................................33
The Format Menu ...............................................................................................33
The Records Menu .............................................................................................34
The Scripts Menu ...............................................................................................35
The Window Menu .............................................................................................36
The Help Menu ...................................................................................................37
The Status Toolbar...................................................................................................39
Moving Between Records .................................................................................39
Information About the Found Set ....................................................................40
The Status Toolbar Buttons ...............................................................................40
Quick Find ...........................................................................................................41
Additional Tools ..................................................................................................41
The Content Area ...............................................................................................42
4 Working with Records ...........................................................................................43
Changing an Existing Record .................................................................................44
Adding a New Record ............................................................................................44
Duplicating a Record...............................................................................................44
Canceling Changes to a Record ............................................................................45
Moving Between Fields ..........................................................................................45
Moving Between Records .......................................................................................46
Deleting a Record....................................................................................................46
Deleting Multiple Records ......................................................................................47
Moving Between Layouts .......................................................................................48
Changing Layout Views ..........................................................................................49
5 Importing Records .................................................................................................51
Preparing for the Import .........................................................................................52
Selecting the Source File ........................................................................................52
File Types Supported ..............................................................................................52
Field Mapping..........................................................................................................53
Selecting an Import Action .....................................................................................55
Importing the Sample Data ....................................................................................57
Import Options Dialog Window ............................................................................57
Import Summary Window .......................................................................................59
6 Finding Records ......................................................................................................61
Using Quick Find .....................................................................................................62
Entering Find Mode ................................................................................................63
Performing Basic Finds ...........................................................................................65
Performing “and” Finds ..........................................................................................67
Performing “or” Finds .............................................................................................67
Performing Finds That Omit Records ....................................................................68
Finds That Return No Records ...............................................................................68
Modifying the Last Find ..........................................................................................69
Using Saved Finds ...................................................................................................69
Using Fast Match .....................................................................................................71
Showing Omitted Records .....................................................................................72
Finding All Records .................................................................................................72
Updating Multiple Records at One Time ..............................................................72
7 Sorting Records ......................................................................................................75
The Sort Records Command ..................................................................................76
The Sort Records Window ......................................................................................76
Impact of the Sort Order ........................................................................................77
8 Exporting Records .................................................................................................79
Preparing to Export .................................................................................................80
Performing the Export ............................................................................................80
Supported File Types ..............................................................................................81
Excel Options Window ...........................................................................................81
Specify the Field Order for the Export Window .............................................82
Additional Export Options .....................................................................................83
The Export Progress Window.................................................................................83
Part 2: Beyond the Basics
9 Working with Fields ...............................................................................................85
Understanding Field Types .....................................................................................86
Adding Fields ...........................................................................................................88
Changing the Field Order ......................................................................................89
Field Options ...........................................................................................................90
Auto-Enter Options ............................................................................................90
Validation Options ..............................................................................................95
Naming Fields and Tables ....................................................................................100
Changing Fields .....................................................................................................101
Deleting Fields .......................................................................................................102
Field Storage Options ...........................................................................................103
Global Fields .....................................................................................................103
Repeating Fields ...............................................................................................104
Indexing Options ..............................................................................................105
Indexing Calculated Fields ..............................................................................107
10 Working with Calculations ................................................................................. 109
What Are Calculations? .........................................................................................110
Why Calculations Are Important ..........................................................................110
The Specify Calculation Dialog ............................................................................111
Adding a Calculation Field ...................................................................................113
Types of Calculation Functions ............................................................................119
Aggregate Functions .......................................................................................121
Container Functions .........................................................................................121
Date Functions ..................................................................................................122
Design Functions ..............................................................................................123
Financial Functions ...........................................................................................123
Get Functions ...................................................................................................123
Logical Functions ..............................................................................................124
Mobile Functions ..............................................................................................125
Number Functions ............................................................................................125
Text Functions ...................................................................................................126
Text Formatting Functions ...............................................................................127
Time Functions .................................................................................................128
TimeStamp Function ........................................................................................129
Trigonometric Functions ..................................................................................129
Custom Functions ..................................................................................................129
FileMaker Plug-Ins .................................................................................................130
11 Working with Layouts ........................................................................................ 131
What Are Layouts? ................................................................................................132
Exploring Layout Mode ........................................................................................132
Adding Layouts ......................................................................................................133
Understanding Layout Parts .................................................................................136
Resizing Layout Parts ............................................................................................138
Setting Layout Widths ...........................................................................................138
Adding Objects to Layouts ..................................................................................139
Adding Fields ....................................................................................................139
Specifying the Tab Order......................................................................................143
Selecting and Modifying Objects ........................................................................144
Using the Layout Inspector...................................................................................145
The Position Tab ...............................................................................................147
The Styles Tab ...................................................................................................150
The Appearance Tab ........................................................................................152
The Data Tab.....................................................................................................154
Understanding Value Lists ...............................................................................160
Adding Basic Objects ...........................................................................................163
Adding Graphics ....................................................................................................164
Adding Advanced Objects ...................................................................................165
Buttons ..............................................................................................................165
Tab Controls ......................................................................................................166
Slide Controls ...................................................................................................168
Popovers ............................................................................................................169
Web Viewers .....................................................................................................171
Changing Layout Options ....................................................................................173
Managing Layouts .................................................................................................175
Layout Tips and Tricks ...........................................................................................175
Undoing Layout Changes ................................................................................175
Icons on Layout Objects ..................................................................................175
Duplicating Layouts ..........................................................................................176
12 Creating Reports and Charts ............................................................................ 177
Planning Your Report ............................................................................................178
Understanding Sub-Summary Reports ................................................................178
Creating Report Layouts .......................................................................................178
Improving Report Layouts ....................................................................................188
Changing Found Sets ...........................................................................................193
Adding Multiple Sub-summary Parts ...................................................................194
Importance of the Sort Order ..............................................................................196
Removing Body Parts ............................................................................................196
Previewing and Printing Reports ..........................................................................197
Printing Labels and Envelopes .............................................................................200
Creating Charts ......................................................................................................202
13 Automating Tasks with Scripts ......................................................................... 207
What Is a Script? ....................................................................................................208
The Manage Scripts Window ...............................................................................208
Creating Scripts .....................................................................................................213
Script Steps ............................................................................................................222
Control Script Steps .........................................................................................223
Navigation Script Steps ...................................................................................228
Editing Script Steps ..........................................................................................229
Field Script Steps .............................................................................................230
Record Script Steps ..........................................................................................232
Found Set Script Steps ....................................................................................233
Window Script Steps ........................................................................................233
File Script Steps ................................................................................................234
Account Script Steps ........................................................................................236
Spelling Script Steps ........................................................................................236
Open Menu Item Script Steps ........................................................................236
Miscellaneous Script Steps ..............................................................................237
Interacting with Users............................................................................................241
Managing Scripts ...................................................................................................249
Grouping Scripts into Folders .........................................................................250
Creating a Default Script .................................................................................250
Adding a Field Separator ................................................................................250
Duplicating Scripts ...........................................................................................250
Importing Scripts ..............................................................................................251
Deleting Scripts ................................................................................................251
Printing Scripts ..................................................................................................251
Performing Scripts .................................................................................................251
Subscripts ..........................................................................................................252
Buttons ..............................................................................................................252
Script Triggers ...................................................................................................253
Install OnTimer Script ......................................................................................258
Script Parameters and Results ..............................................................................259
Handling Script Errors ...........................................................................................262
Running Scripts with Full Access .........................................................................265
Part 3: Caring For and Sharing a Database
14 Protecting a Database ....................................................................................... 267
The Importance of Security ..................................................................................268
The FileMaker Security Model .............................................................................268
FileMaker’s Default Security Settings ..................................................................269
The Manage Security Window .............................................................................270
Creating Privilege Sets ..........................................................................................273
Privilege Sets and Scripts .....................................................................................280
Creating Accounts .................................................................................................281
Resetting an Account’s Password ........................................................................286
Securing New Databases ......................................................................................286
Additional Security Features ................................................................................287
Custom Extended Privileges ...........................................................................287
File Access Control...........................................................................................287
Encryption at Rest ............................................................................................288
FileMaker Server Security Options .................................................................288
15 Backing Up a Database ...................................................................................... 291
The Importance of Backing Up ............................................................................292
Challenges of Backing Up Databases .................................................................292
Performing Backups ..............................................................................................293
Backing Up with FileMaker Server .......................................................................295
Creating Backup Strategies ..................................................................................295
Restoring from Backups ........................................................................................296
Recovering Damaged Databases ........................................................................297
Performing Consistency Checks ..........................................................................299
16 Sharing a Database ............................................................................................. 301
Hosting with FileMaker Pro ..................................................................................302
Connecting with FileMaker Pro ............................................................................305
Closing Hosted Databases ...................................................................................306
Sharing Via ODBC .................................................................................................308
Hosting with FileMaker Server .............................................................................308
Increased Support for Concurrent Users .......................................................308
Support for FileMaker WebDirect ..................................................................308
Custom Web Publishing ..................................................................................310
ODBC/JDBC Connections ..............................................................................310
17 Taking Data with You ......................................................................................... 313
The Role of FileMaker Go ....................................................................................314
Designing for FileMaker Go .................................................................................314
Deployment Options.............................................................................................316
Accessing Hosted Databases ..........................................................................317
Using Local Databases .....................................................................................322
Security Considerations ........................................................................................322
Other Considerations ............................................................................................323
Part 4: Building Your Own Database
18 Planning Your Database ..................................................................................... 325
Defining Your Goals ..............................................................................................326
Identifying Tables ..................................................................................................326
Identifying Fields ...................................................................................................327
Identifying Relationships .......................................................................................329
19 Creating Your Database ..................................................................................... 331
Creating Databases from Scratch ........................................................................332
Adding Fields Using the Field Picker ..................................................................334
Changing a Table’s Name .....................................................................................335
Naming Tables and Fields ....................................................................................336
20 Expanding the Database ................................................................................... 339
Adding Additional Tables .....................................................................................340
Understanding the Relationship Graph...............................................................341
Setting Up Relationships ......................................................................................345
The Importance of Context ..................................................................................351
Working with Related Records Via Portals ..........................................................353
Understanding External Data Sources ................................................................356
TOC, 9780789748843, 11/13/2014