FileMaker Pro 9: The Missing Manual

A Very Quick Database Tour

Every FileMaker Pro database has two things in common: One, it stores heaps of information, and two, it gives you the tools to manage that information. Whether you start from one of FileMaker’s templates (see Creating a New Database) or a completely blank slate (see Defining Fields), your new database starts out data-free. It’s an empty vessel waiting to be filled. (It would be nice if the program could figure out what data you want and enter it for you, but that probably won’t happen until FileMaker Pro 9009.) You have to take care of the data entry yourself. At first, all you see in the window are the tools—buttons, controls, and pop-up menus—that you use to fill the database with data.

Every database window has the same basic structure. FileMaker provides a handful of special items around the window, as you can see in Figure 1-1.

Tip

You can download a sample database form the “Missing CD” page at www.missingmanuals.com/cds.

Figure 1-1. Every database window has the same apparatus around the edges—what’s inside the window is up to you. Compare this window with the one shown in Figure 1-2, left. Both windows have a status area, zoom controls, and a Mode pop-up menu. The content is the only difference.

Content Area

While some features like the status area, zoom controls, and Mode pop-up menu stay the same no matter which database you’re using, what’s inside the ...