Course outline
Getting started• Definitions: databases, tables, records & fields; field types
• The FileMaker Quick Start screen
• Creating a database (1) From scratch; (2) From an Excel spreadsheet
• Modes and Views
• Creating, modifying and editing records
• Sorting records and Finding records using different search criteria
Creating and modifying layouts
• Creating layouts with the Layout Wizard; Layout Types; Report and List layouts
• Placing date and page number codes
• Creating Tabbed layouts
• Applying field, border, text, number and Conditional formatting
Simple Button actions
• The principles of database automation with buttons and scripts
• Creating simple buttons
Further searching techniques
• Include and Omission searches
• Using multiple search criteria
• Using multiple requests
• Using Saved Finds
Controlling entry of data into fields
• Entering data from the last visited record
• Using Value Lists & Calendar Popups
• Auto-entry of data and calculated values; validation of values
Calculation fields
• Text vs. number calculations
• Using arithmetic and formulae
• Introduction to some basic functions
Updating record sets
• Using the Replace Field Contents command
• Updating with a fixed value
• Updating Serial Numbers
• Updating according to a calculated formula
Summary fields and summarised reports
• What is a Summary field?
• Creating a Summarised Report
• The Sub-summary Part
• The Sort field for Sub Summaries
Merge Fields and Mail Merge options
• What is a merge field?
• Placing merge fields on the layout
• Designing a mail-merge letter layout
Creating simple charts
• Introducing the new charting tool
• Creating simple pie, bar, horizontal bar, line and area charts
• Adding chart and axis titles
• Formatting the chart
Introduction to Relational databases
• Defining relationships between tables and understanding the Match field
• Understanding one-to-many and many-to-one relationships
• Using Portals
• Using Lookups
