Getting to Know FileMaker Pro

[Desktop help]

FileMaker Pro Introduction

Q&D Media (John Healy)
General Support

Digital Yankee
Workshop

Item

Comment

1. Pick the right tool for the job

Are you managing lists of information?

Do you need to arrange or view this data in many different ways?

Do you want to easily modify or expand a list?

Many people try to manage data in a word processor or a spreadsheet (e.g., Excel) program. While such applications can do many tasks well, a database product like FileMaker Pro offers power and ease of use for "slicing and dicing" lists, forms, mailing labels, etc.

FileMaker Pro runs on both Macintosh and PC platforms, and is network aware.

2. Understand database organization

File (database file)

Record(s)

Field(s)

Example:

Book List

Book

Name, author, category, date read

3. Learn key FileMaker Pro concepts

Modes: Browse, Find, Layout, Preview

Sorting

Data views versus database contents

Data validation

Question: How many different ways can you change modes in FileMaker Pro?

Learn how to keep your data "healthy;" otherwise, GIGO may happen -- garbage in, garbage out!

4. Practice key FileMaker Pro skills

Using on-line Help

Using keyboard shortcuts

Defining fields

Designing layouts

Checking spelling

Previewing before printing

Extended data entry (in Browse mode) can become quite physically stressful (especially with marginal ergonomics) if you constantly move your hands between the keyboard and mouse. Learn tricks to keep both hands on the keyboard as much as possible while entering data.

Notice the difference between the "enter" and "return" keys.

5. Use provided templates and examples to "jump start" new databases

Buttons

Clip art

Question: Can any object in a layout be a button?

6. Notice that a database may contain non-text items

Pictures

Sounds

Digital video (e.g., QuickTime)

Pictures and sounds may be stored internally (in the database file itself) or externally (in your file system). Digital video items (a type of binary large object or "BLOB") are stored externally.

7. Consider advanced capabilities

Security (access control)

Sharing (network access)

Import / export (interoperability)

Scripting (automation)

Internet publishing (Web data)

Relational files (linked data)

FileMaker Pro is a great tool for prototyping (or visualizing) higher-end database applications or Web sites.

8. Backup files

Whenever you hit the "enter" key or change records or click outside a field, FileMaker Pro writes any changes to your disk. Notice the automatic "save changes to disk" preference.

	FileMaker Pro Introduction	*Q&D Media* *(John Healy)* General Support
Digital Yankee Workshop	Item	Comment
	1. Pick the right tool for the job Are you managing lists of information? Do you need to arrange or view this data in many different ways? Do you want to easily modify or expand a list?	Many people try to manage data in a word processor or a spreadsheet (e.g., Excel) program. While such applications can do many tasks well, a database product like FileMaker Pro offers power and ease of use for "slicing and dicing" lists, forms, mailing labels, etc. FileMaker Pro runs on both Macintosh and PC platforms, and is network aware.
	2. Understand database organization File (database file) Record(s) Field(s)	Example: Book List Book Name, author, category, date read
	3. Learn key FileMaker Pro concepts Modes: Browse, Find, Layout, Preview Sorting Data views versus database contents Data validation	Question: How many different ways can you change modes in FileMaker Pro? Learn how to keep your data "healthy;" otherwise, GIGO may happen -- garbage in, garbage out!
	4. Practice key FileMaker Pro skills Using on-line Help Using keyboard shortcuts Defining fields Designing layouts Checking spelling Previewing before printing	Extended data entry (in Browse mode) can become quite physically stressful (especially with marginal ergonomics) if you constantly move your hands between the keyboard and mouse. Learn tricks to keep both hands on the keyboard as much as possible while entering data. Notice the difference between the "enter" and "return" keys.
	5. Use provided templates and examples to "jump start" new databases Buttons Clip art	Question: Can any object in a layout be a button?
	6. Notice that a database may contain non-text items Pictures Sounds Digital video (e.g., QuickTime)	Pictures and sounds may be stored internally (in the database file itself) or externally (in your file system). Digital video items (a type of binary large object or "BLOB") are stored externally.
	7. Consider advanced capabilities Security (access control) Sharing (network access) Import / export (interoperability) Scripting (automation) Internet publishing (Web data) Relational files (linked data)	FileMaker Pro is a great tool for prototyping (or visualizing) higher-end database applications or Web sites.
	8. Backup files	Whenever you hit the "enter" key or change records or click outside a field, FileMaker Pro writes any changes to your disk. Notice the automatic "save changes to disk" preference.