FileMaker Pro 13: The Missing Manual

by Susan Prosser, Stuart Gripman

Overview

You don’t need a technical background to build powerful databases with FileMaker Pro 13. This crystal-clear guide covers all new FileMaker Pro 13 features, such as its improved layout tools and enhanced mobile support. Whether you’re running a business, printing a catalog, or planning a wedding, you’ll learn how to customize your database to run on a PC, Mac, Web browser, or iOS device.

The important stuff you need to know:

• Get started. Tour FileMaker Pro’s features and create your first database in minutes.
• Access data anywhere. Use FileMaker Go on your iPad or iPhone—or share data on the Web.
• Dive into relational data. Solve problems quickly by connecting and combining data tables.
• Create professional documents. Publish reports, invoices, catalogs, and other documents with ease.
• Harness processing power. Use calculations and scripts to crunch numbers, search text, and automate tasks.
• Add visual power and clarity. Create colorful charts to illustrate and summarize your data.
• Share your database on a secure server. Add the high-level features of FileMaker Pro Advanced and FileMaker Pro Server.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781491901854
Publisher:	O'Reilly Media, Incorporated
Publication date:	06/27/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	942
File size:	25 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Susan Prosser is a reformed journalist who's stopped trying to bring information to the people and now helps them manage the data they already have. She is a FileMaker Certified Developer and has developed FileMaker databases for 12 years, and also trains and writes curricula for other developers.

Stuart Gripman is the founder of Crooked Arm Corp, a full-service FileMaker Pro consulting and development firm based in Berkeley, California. A FileMaker Certified Developer, he has written for both Macworld and MacLife.

Table of Contents

The Missing Credits; About the Authors; About the Creative Team; Acknowledgments; The Missing Manual Series; Introduction; Why FileMaker Pro?; About This Book; Macintosh and Windows; About the Outline; What’s New in FileMaker Pro 13; The Very Basics; About the Online Resources; Safari® Books Online; Part 1: Getting Started with FileMaker; Chapter 1: Working with Your Database; 1.1 A Very Quick Database Tour; 1.2 Opening and Closing Database Files; 1.3 Adding Data to Your Database; 1.4 Navigating Your Database; 1.5 Finding Records; 1.6 Sorting Records; 1.7 Same Database, Different Views; 1.8 Saving Your Database; 1.9 Using FileMaker’s Help Menu; Chapter 2: Organizing and Editing Records; 2.1 Views; 2.2 Advanced Find Techniques; 2.3 Editing What’s in Your Fields; 2.4 Changing Text Appearance; 2.5 Checking Spelling; 2.6 Preview Mode and Printing; Part 2: Building Your First Database; Chapter 3: Creating a Custom Database; 3.1 Creating a New Database; 3.2 Creating and Managing Fields in Form View; 3.3 Understanding Layouts; 3.4 Customizing a Layout; 3.5 Creating a New Layout; 3.6 Arrange and Align Tools; Chapter 4: Adding Power to Your Database; 4.1 Creating a Simple Calculation; 4.2 Creating a Related Table; 4.3 Creating and Using Portals; 4.4 Using Tab Controls; 4.5 Adding Merge Fields; 4.6 Writing a Basic Script; 4.7 Creating a Dynamic Report with the Assistant; 4.8 Creating a Trailing Group Report; 4.9 Creating Charts in Table View; 4.10 Changing the Default Account; 4.11 Summing Up; Part 3: Thinking Like a Developer; Chapter 5: Creating and Managing a Relational Database; 5.1 Understanding Relational Databases; 5.2 Modeling Your Database; 5.3 Creating a Relational Database; 5.4 Using Relational Database Power; 5.5 Lookups; 5.6 Reviewing Relationship Concepts; Chapter 6: Field Options; 6.1 Understanding Field Types; 6.2 Auto-Enter Field Options; 6.3 Validation Options; 6.4 Storage Options; 6.5 Beyond Text: Container Fields; Chapter 7: Layout Mechanics; 7.1 Layout Types; 7.2 Layout Parts; 7.3 Formatting Fields; 7.4 Advanced Field Controls; 7.5 Tab Order; 7.6 Creating Layouts for Printing; Chapter 8: Layout Design; 8.1 Layout Themes; 8.2 Touch Themes; 8.3 Styles; 8.4 Grids, Guides, and Dynamic Guides; 8.5 Screen Stencils; 8.6 Data Formatting; 8.7 Merge Fields; 8.8 Merge Variables; 8.9 Tooltips; 8.10 Autosizing; 8.11 Buttons; 8.12 Slide Controls; Chapter 9: Understanding Calculations; 9.1 Understanding Calculations; 9.2 Using a Related Field in a Calculation; 9.3 Understanding the Specify Calculation Dialog Box; 9.4 Auto-Enter Calculations; 9.5 Validate Data Entry with a Calculation; 9.6 Commenting in Calculations; Chapter 10: More Calculations and Data Types; 10.1 Number Crunching Calculations; 10.2 Going Beyond Basic Calculations; 10.3 Text Calculations; 10.4 Date and Time Calculations; 10.5 Containers in Calculations; Chapter 11: Understanding Scripts; 11.1 Understanding Scripts; 11.2 Your First Script; 11.3 Shortcuts to the Edit Script Window; 11.4 The Importance of the Layout; 11.5 Running Scripts; 11.6 Organizing Your Scripts; 11.7 Branching and Looping in Scripts; 11.8 Script Triggers; Chapter 12: Exploring Script Steps; 12.1 Go to Layout; 12.2 Go to Object; 12.3 Scripting for Fields; 12.4 Working with Records; 12.5 Finding Records; 12.6 Sorting Records; 12.7 Working with Windows; 12.8 Working with Files; 12.9 Printing; 12.10 Other Script Steps; Part 4: Becoming a Power Developer; Chapter 13: Applying Developer Utilities; 13.1 Copying and Pasting Database Structure; 13.2 Script Debugger; 13.3 The Data Viewer; 13.4 Disable Script Steps; 13.5 The Database Design Report; 13.6 Custom Functions; 13.7 Custom Menus; 13.8 Developer Utilities; 13.9 File Maintenance; Chapter 14: Advanced Relationship Techniques; 14.1 Advanced Relationships; 14.2 Portal Filtering; 14.3 Understanding Table Occurrences; 14.4 Table Occurrence Groups; 14.5 Understanding Graph Arrangements; 14.6 Connecting Database Files; 14.7 Using Multiple Relationship Techniques; Chapter 15: Reporting and Analysis; 15.1 Summary Fields and Subsummary Parts; 15.2 Web Viewer Objects; 15.3 Conditional Formatting; 15.4 Basic Charting (Found Set Charts); 15.5 Chart Formatting; 15.6 Charting and Reports; 15.7 Advanced Charting; Chapter 16: Advanced Calculations; 16.1 Understanding Boolean Functions; 16.2 Using Storage Options; 16.3 Logical Functions; 16.4 The Let() Function and Variables; 16.5 Recursion; 16.6 Plug-Ins; Chapter 17: Advanced Scripting; 17.1 Commenting Scripts; 17.2 Importing Scripts; 17.3 Communicating with Database Users; 17.4 Creating Modular Scripts; 17.5 Script Parameters; 17.6 Script Variables; 17.7 Handling Errors; 17.8 Advanced Script Triggers; 17.9 Putting a Complex Script Together; Part 5: Security and Integration; Chapter 18: Adding Security; 18.1 How Security Works; 18.2 Privilege Sets; 18.3 Managing Accounts; 18.4 Extended Privileges; 18.5 Managing External File Access; 18.6 Scripts and Security; Chapter 19: Sharing Data Using FileMaker Server; 19.1 Understanding Database Sharing; 19.2 FileMaker Network Sharing; 19.3 Working with a Shared File; 19.4 FileMaker Server; 19.5 Server Hardware; Chapter 20: Sharing Data with WebDirect and FileMaker Go; 20.1 Understanding WebDirect; 20.2 Enabling WebDirect in a Database; 20.3 Opening a Database in FileMaker Go; 20.4 Connecting with a Web Browser; 20.5 Designing for WebDirect and FileMaker Go; 20.6 Designing for Go; 20.7 Designing for WebDirect; 20.8 Customizing the WebDirect Home Page; 20.9 Sharing Databases on the Internet Without WebDirect; Chapter 21: Sharing Data with Other Systems; 21.1 Sharing Your Data with Others; 21.2 Snapshot Link; 21.3 External SQL Sources; 21.4 Exporting Data; 21.5 Importing Data; 21.6 Import Data Sources; 21.7 Importing and Exporting in a Script; Part 6: Appendixes; Getting Help; Getting Help from FileMaker Pro; FileMaker’s Installed Extras; Getting Help from the Community; File Conversion; Compatibility; Understanding Conversion; Start with a Test Run; Converting a Single File; Converting Multiple Files; Using the Insert Commands with Container Fields; Notes; FileMaker Error Codes;