FileMaker Pro Session 4
Glossary & a Few Last Tips
- calculation (or computed) field A database field
containing a formula that outputs a result for each record. It contains a
formula that computes data from values in other fields in the same record.
For example, you might have a field called subtotal that adds up several fields
that have prices in them, a second field called sales tax that shows what
percentage to add to subtotal and a third field called grand total that multiplies
subtotal by sales tax and then adds the result to subtotal.
- field boxes Rectangles (in Layout mode) that contain
the names of each field.
- field name Each field is assigned a name. The name
appears in bold letters in front of the field box (in Browse mode).
- found set = current found set To find records, you
specify criteria, (the values you want to find) in a blank find request. The
found set matches all the criteria you specify.
To make a find request:
- Choose the layout you
want to use to find records from the layout pop-up menu.
- Choose Find from the
Mode menu.
- In the blank find request,
enter or select criteria for as many fields as you want to search.
- You can't enter search
criteria in summary, container, or global fields.
- If necessary, choose
an operator from the Symbols pop-up menu in the status area to refine your
search.
- Click Find in the status
area, or choose Perform Find from the Select menu.
- Layout Layouts are
computer screens that present information to you.
- Layout mode Used
to make changes in the appearance of the current layout and to control what
fields appear there.
- modes You can work with FileMaker Pro in four different modes: Browse, Find,
Layout, and Preview. You have different menu options in each mode, so choose
a mode after deciding what work you need to do. You can choose a mode from
the Mode menu or from the mode pop-up menu at the bottom of the document window.
- report A printout of information in a database (or based on it). It can be a
simple list, like some mailing labels, or it can contain computations. See
summary field.
- summary field/report
calculations A database field containing a formula that outputs
a result for a group of records or for the whole database. The result is calculated
from values in one or more fields of only those records in the group available
for browsing. So totals will change each time you find different records.
These report calculations differ from calculated fields in that they gather
data from more than one record. A calculated field might total all the items
on a single invoice, while a report might total your sales for the month.
A Few last Tips:
- You can apply gradients
to your graphics in ClarisWorks, which are then copied and pasted into FileMakerPro.
- Use small vertical lines
with repeating fields to produce a spreadsheet effect.
- Defining a field does
not format it. Format a field in the layout mode. option - double click on
a field in order to format it.
- Create a 3-D relief
(shadowed) effect with a blue box above a (slightly offset) black box of the
same size.
- Be sure to lock objects
on the screen in order to protect and save your document. Only unlocked objects
move. So, group and lock objects as you go.
- If you select multiple
objects and resize one, all the objects will resize proportionately.
