Learning FileMaker Pro 13 - A Practical Guide

FileMaker Pro 13 delivers an update with features while preserving the FileMaker 12 file format, enabling 12 files to open in 13 without conversion—though 13-only features won't work in 12.

Explore FileMaker Pro 13's environment chooser that creates layouts for screens and printed output across computers and mobile devices, with device-specific sizing for form, list, table, or report.

Learn to use the FileMaker Field Picker in FileMaker Pro 13 to add fields, change data types, and arrange them in layouts with efficient tools.

Learn to implement the slide control object in FileMaker Pro 13, enabling swipe gestures and navigation dots for multi-panel layouts with animated panel transitions.

Keep screen clutter down by using popovers that reveal information only when needed. Configure popover buttons with placement, content, and script triggers to show one at a time.

Explore FileMaker Pro 13 inspector appearance updates, introducing separate object styles and state dropdowns, background image options, shadows, and text line controls to enrich layout design.

Discover list view modernization in FileMaker Pro 13, including a 3-pixel current record indicator, a show current record indicator checkbox in layout mode, and active state formatting in appearance inspector.

Programmatically hide or show layout objects with a calculation in layout mode's data tab. The More button appears only when the first field has text, in browse and find modes.

Filemaker 13 introduces themes and object styles, creating a two-tiered hierarchy for layout attributes and enabling propagation of changes across files, and supports saving changes and importing themes.

Learn how extended layout mode undo in FileMaker Pro 13 preserves layout-change history beyond saves, allowing review in other modes and precise undo back to the original state.

FileMaker Pro 13's layout mode adds option-drag duplication with field attachment prompt, persistent alignment guides during moves and nudges, and a view page breaks feature turned on as needed.

Explore FileMaker WebDirect as the browser-based replacement for IWP, showing hosted files render in browsers with real-time data propagation and parity with client interfaces, licensing 5-user connection packs and limits.

Explore encryption at rest in FileMaker Pro 13, protecting the stored file on disk with an encryption password and memory encryption, and enable encryption via FileMaker Pro Advanced Developer Utilities.

Explore iOS-specific enhancements in FileMaker Pro 13, including popovers, slide controls, and per-field touch keyboard types to tailor data-entry on iPad.

Learn how FileMaker Pro 13 uses calculation expressions to set tab labels and dialog buttons programmatically. Switch language with a language preference and labels table to update interfaces.

Set the minimum version in file options to open only in FileMaker 13 or newer; the default is 12, but you can change it to 13.

Learn Filemaker Pro 13 scripting with new commands such as refresh object, refresh window, perform script on server, set script animation, and insert from device for iOS devices.

Discover script triggers in FileMaker Pro 13: on layout size change and on gesture tap, with on tab switch renamed to on panel switch; triggers operate at the layout level.

Explore extended calculation power in FileMaker Pro 13 with new functions like get device, get network type, get connection attributes, and container media operations.

See how databases store data in rows and columns with records and fields, and how switching between form, list, and layouts reveals different useful views.

Turn a flat file into a relational database by creating a publishers table and linking books to publishers via a publisher ID, eliminating duplicates and ensuring updates propagate across records.

Explore FileMaker Pro 13's four modes—browse, find, layout, and preview—and how the mini mode and view menus, with keyboard shortcuts, switch modes while you build databases and scripts.

Explore how a database links tables and records to form one-to-many and many-to-one relationships using publisher and book data, with serial fields and publisher IDs guiding efficient finds.

Identify key entities such as books, publishers, and authors, and use join tables to model complex relationships; plan a relational structure with publications, quotations, assignments, and notes before building.

Design a robust bibliographic database structure in FileMaker Pro 13 by creating nine tables with plural names and key fields like a hidden header, serial number, and calculated author id.

Create a relational data structure by adding tables with id fields and linking them in the relationships graph using joins and table occurrences, including author, publication, quotation, and assignment joins.

Create multiple layouts to display author data in form and list views, linking authors to publications and using themes and inspector tools.

Create on-screen navigation with custom buttons to quickly switch between the authors listing and authors layouts in FileMaker Pro 13, using the button setup, alignment, and inspector tools.

Back up the database regularly to protect data and file structure. Set up password protection and privilege sets to control access, including admin full access and a data-entry account.

Discover how to create links between files using external data sources, bring together data from different systems, and enforce access control with file security and authorization.

Discover FileMaker Pro Advanced features, including custom menus, script debugger, data viewer, and detailed database reports, and learn how they enhance building and maintaining complex databases.

Explore how layouts relate to tables and data in the database. Use multiple table occurrences on the relationships graph to view data from different vantage points.

Master FileMaker Pro 13 layout tools in layout mode, from selecting and resizing objects to adding fields, buttons, tabs, portals, charts, and web views, and using undo.

Create and format objects in layout mode by drawing lines, rounded rectangles, and text boxes, then align and style them with the formatting bar using font, color, and alignment options.

Position and size objects precisely on a layout using drag, arrow keys, and the inspector panel. Align, resize, and arrange multiple objects with the arrange menu and alignment tools.

Explore creating and arranging layout parts in FileMaker Pro 13, including header, body, and footer, plus title parts and grand summaries for grouping and totals.

Explore seven fundamentals of good design in FileMaker layouts, including consistency, intuitive flow, and grouping related fields. See how consistent alignment, limited styles, and shared cues improve readability and usability.

Explore visual cues in layouts that aid interpretation, using header and footer delineation, drop shadows, depth cues, border effects, field boxes, and tool tips to guide users.

Learn to set and refine the tab order in FileMaker Pro 13 using the set tab order dialog to control keyboard navigation through fields and controls.

Explore dynamic layout objects in FileMaker Pro 13, including field tools, tab panels, and a web viewer, and learn how inspector settings enable date pickers and calendar controls.

Create and configure buttons in FileMaker Pro 13 to run single commands or scripts, activate by mouse or keyboard, and navigate layouts with labeled, cursor-changing buttons.

Learn to use FileMaker Pro 13 tab control objects: build multi-tab layouts, add fields and text to tabs, customize labels and default tab, and navigate with keyboard tab order.

Show how portals display all related publications for an author, using the author publication join table and a portal on the author layout to list title, year, and publisher.

Learn to embed a web viewer in FileMaker Pro 13 forms to dynamically search Google using the current author record data, linking web content to your database.

Add rollover tooltips to layout objects in FileMaker Pro 13 via the inspector's position tab, entering concise text in the tooltip field that appears on hover.

Apply conditional formatting in FileMaker Pro 13 to highlight empty data entry fields with a pale yellow fill, providing visual cues that guide user input.

Explore autosizing objects by anchoring to window edges and resizing a portal object to adapt layouts as the window changes size.

Learn to create a publication summary report in FileMaker Pro 13 using a publications layout, grouping by publisher and author, selecting fields, sorting, and generating a script for browsing.

Explore how FileMaker Pro 13 uses auto entry options to speed data entry with default values, serial numbers, IDs, and lookups, including an availability field defaulting to available.

Commit records by exiting the record or pressing enter, saving changes to disk and unlocking the record for others; revert lets you discard edits before committing.

Explore how to speed data entry in FileMaker Pro 13 by using auto entry options, default values, and value lists, including radio button sets and various field controls.

Master FileMaker Pro 13 navigation and data entry by using keyboard shortcuts for common commands, insert actions, and field navigation to speed up workflows while minimizing mouse use.

Master find techniques in FileMaker Pro 13: use Find mode and Perform Find to build a found set. Apply operators, reverse finds, and show omitted records to refine results.

In FileMaker Pro 13, learn to find matching records quickly by using the context menu's find matching records command, bypassing manual steps with copy-paste and the match entire field operator.

Combine search criteria across multiple fields to perform compound searches in find mode, narrowing results to records that match all entered criteria, such as author last name and publisher name.

Widen searches in FileMaker Pro 13 by using range operators and multiple find requests to build complex found sets, with include or omit options guiding the results.

Learn how to refine your found set in FileMaker Pro 13 by constraining and extending searches, using modify last find, and applying constrained and extend from found set commands.

Learn to slice a found set with sorting, then group and summarize records using summary fields and subsummary parts to produce publisher- and author-based counts.

Access related data in FileMaker Pro 13 by using the go to related record command to jump between publications and authors, and set up buttons and layouts for cross-table navigation.

Create dynamic summaries of related data by adding a calculation field that counts related records from another table, such as publications for each author, and display them in a portal.

Set up a dynamic bar chart in FileMaker Pro 13 to display publications by year for the current author, using an on-the-fly summary field and related records.

Learn to export data from a found set and import data by mapping fields in FileMaker Pro 13.

Learn how FileMaker Pro 13 saves and shares data by exporting the current found set as Excel or PDA files, and by using snapshot links to restore layouts.

Examine how tables and table occurrences shape multiple views of data in FileMaker, including self-join techniques, to navigate the relationships graph and avoid ambiguous paths.

See how field types influence sorting and indexing. Compare numeric and text fields, and note how time, time stamp, container, phone numbers, and calculation or summary fields shape data.

Master global fields by using a single value stored across all records, enabling per-user temporary storage in multi-user files and updates across layouts without relationships.

Learn to create calculation fields in FileMaker Pro 13 to compute totals like quantity times price, and to combine names using append and trim functions.

discover how to craft FileMaker Pro 13 calculations using the if function and logical functions to build a full name with correct spaces, handling empty middle names.

Learn the difference between stored and unstored calculations in FileMaker Pro 13, including recalculate behavior and performance impacts, with examples using time, random numbers, and related data.

Organize the FileMaker relationships graph by grouping related table occurrences, using select related tables, color coding, and notes, then align, roll up, and distribute elements for a clear, navigable schema.

Learn to automate complex FileMaker Pro 13 tasks with Pharmac scripting, outlining step-by-step commands to generate a sorted, point-in-time publication report saved as a PTF file.

Create a script to generate the available titles list by navigating layouts, setting criteria, performing a find, sorting by author, and saving as a ptf file.

Explore how FileMaker scripts operate in a single-threaded, linear fashion, with screen refresh control, error handling, and conditional logic using get last error, if/end-if, and else.

Learn basic script editing techniques in FileMaker Pro 13, including managing, organizing, and editing scripts with search, folders, checkmarks, and cross-script copy-paste, plus compatibility and full-access options.

Explore how FileMaker Pro 13 script steps interact with layout objects by naming objects, specifying target fields, and using goto object and goto field to control focus and data actions.

Discover how FileMaker scripts integrate with navigation to perform housekeeping, show all records, and position the active record at the first item for consistent results.

Master conditional scripting in FileMaker Pro 13 by using if, end if, and else to branch actions, test modifier keys, and filter related records for publisher-based author listings.

Learn how to implement loops and conditional sequences in FileMaker Pro 13 scripts to preserve the active record, navigate records, and exit loops when conditions are met.

Automate FileMaker Pro 13 by attaching perform script commands to buttons. Use script triggers to run scripts on layout events in browse mode with options to pause, resume, or exit.

Learn how to use script parameters with FileMaker Pro 13 script triggers to control script flow, prevent recursive triggers, and tailor behavior based on caller context.

Learn how FileMaker Pro 13 uses a consistent language of calculations—expressions built from fields, literals, variables, functions, and operators—and apply them via the calculation dialog and set field commands.

Explore the breadth of FileMaker Pro 13 calculation functions through selective, practical examples that span numbers, text, dates, times, and related get and layout functions.

Explore how FileMaker Pro uses boolean logic to evaluate tests, returning 1 for true and 0 for false based on nonzero versus zero or empty values, via get as boolean.

Explore how FileMaker treats values in calculations, including text literals, carriage returns, lists, and functions like value count, get value, left values, right values, middle values, and list.

Learn to create and test calculation expressions in FileMaker Pro 13 using the calculation dialog, combining literals, operators, get functions, and if statements to generate dialog messages.

Explore how text literals work in FileMaker Pro 13, including carriage returns, and backslash escapes to manage quotes and special characters in calculations.

Explore how calculation fields in FileMaker Pro 13 pull data from fields, related records, and time, and how dependencies govern when results update and whether they are stored or unstored.

Explore how calculation functions can feed into one another to create compound expressions, enabling nested functions, operators, and field references to extract and assemble data.

Explore how the relationship graph governs Filemaker links through key fields, data types, and indexing. Learn practical rules for choosing unique, persistent keys and using multi key fields.

Define primary keys and foreign keys with auto-entered serials to ensure unique, persistent records, then establish and manage parent and child relationships using dedicated key fields.

Learn seven relationship operators in FileMaker Pro 13, including equal join, not equals, and cartesian join, with practical uses in portals and multi predicate setups.

Explore how a join table replaces multi key fields to create one-to-many and many-to-many relationships between parent and child records, and extend this with join-specific fields like relationship and status.

Discover how portal filtering works in FileMaker Pro 13: use relationship criteria or portal-level calculations to display subsets of related records, such as gender-based portal separation with a single relationship.

Sort related data in FileMaker Pro 13 using relationship-level sorts or portal sorts. Apply descending age to display oldest first, and note that portal sorts can override relationship sorts.

Explore how FileMaker Pro 13 uses relationships and a join table to manage many-to-many connections, enabling creation of related records directly via the relationship with portals.