Tim Dietrich is an independent database professional who specializes in FileMaker Pro. He designs custom database solutions that help organizations solve problems and achieve goals. He also offers FileMaker training and coaching to groups and individuals, with courses designed for users at all skill levels. His clients range from small businesses to government agencies to Fortune 50 organizations. Tim has been developing with FileMaker Pro since 1992, and he is a FileMaker 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 Certified Developer. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Towson University, where he studied Computer Science with a concentration in Information Systems. Tim lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife, Kelly, and their son, Alex. To learn more about the author, visit his website at: http://timdietrich.me.

INTRODUCTION ...1 About This Book ... 2 Part 1: Getting to Know FileMaker Pro 1 Welcome to FileMaker Pro...5 What Is a Database? ... 6 Differences Between Databases and Spreadsheets ... 7 The Power of Databases ...11 Why FileMaker? ...12 Understanding the FileMaker Platform ...13 What Can FileMaker Do for You? ...14 2 Creating Your First Database...17 Getting Started Tour ...18 FileMaker Quick Start ...19 Creating a Database Using a Starter Solution...20 Saving and Closing a Database ...22 Quitting FileMaker ...22 3 Exploring FileMaker Pro ...25 Opening a FileMaker Pro Database ...26 Opening a Recently Used Database ...26 Opening Other Databases ...26 Menu Commands ...27 The File Menu ...28 The Edit Menu ...29 The View Menu ...29 The Insert Menu ...33 The Format Menu ...33 The Records Menu ...34 The Scripts Menu ...35 The Window Menu ...36 The Help Menu ...37 The Status Toolbar...39 Moving Between Records ...39 Information About the Found Set ...40 The Status Toolbar Buttons ...40 Quick Find ...41 Additional Tools ...41 The Content Area ...42 4 Working with Records ...43 Changing an Existing Record ...44 Adding a New Record ...44 Duplicating a Record...44 Canceling Changes to a Record ...45 Moving Between Fields ...45 Moving Between Records ...46 Deleting a Record...46 Deleting Multiple Records ...47 Moving Between Layouts ...48 Changing Layout Views ...49 5 Importing Records ...51 Preparing for the Import ...52 Selecting the Source File ...52 File Types Supported ...52 Field Mapping...53 Selecting an Import Action ...55 Importing the Sample Data ...57 Import Options Dialog Window ...57 Import Summary Window ...59 6 Finding Records ...61 Using Quick Find ...62 Entering Find Mode ...63 Performing Basic Finds ...65 Performing "and" Finds ...67 Performing "or" Finds ...67 Performing Finds That Omit Records ...68 Finds That Return No Records ...68 Modifying the Last Find ...69 Using Saved Finds ...69 Using Fast Match ...71 Showing Omitted Records ...72 Finding All Records ...72 Updating Multiple Records at One Time ...72 7 Sorting Records ...75 The Sort Records Command ...76 The Sort Records Window ...76 Impact of the Sort Order ...77 8 Exporting Records ...79 Preparing to Export ...80 Performing the Export ...80 Supported File Types ...81 Excel Options Window ...81 Specify the Field Order for the Export Window ...82 Additional Export Options ...83 The Export Progress Window...83 Part 2: Beyond the Basics 9 Working with Fields ...85 Understanding Field Types ...86 Adding Fields ...88 Changing the Field Order ...89 Field Options ...90 Auto-Enter Options ...90 Validation Options ...95 Naming Fields and Tables ...100 Changing Fields ...101 Deleting Fields ...102 Field Storage Options ...103 Global Fields ...103 Repeating Fields ...104 Indexing Options ...105 Indexing Calculated Fields ...107 10 Working with Calculations ... 109 What Are Calculations? ...110 Why Calculations Are Important ...110 The Specify Calculation Dialog ...111 Adding a Calculation Field ...113 Types of Calculation Functions ...119 Aggregate Functions ...121 Container Functions ...121 Date Functions ...122 Design Functions ...123 Financial Functions ...123 Get Functions ...123 Logical Functions ...124 Mobile Functions ...125 Number Functions ...125 Text Functions ...126 Text Formatting Functions ...127 Time Functions ...128 TimeStamp Function ...129 Trigonometric Functions ...129 Custom Functions ...129 FileMaker Plug-Ins ...130 11 Working with Layouts ... 131 What Are Layouts? ...132 Exploring Layout Mode ...132 Adding Layouts ...133 Understanding Layout Parts ...136 Resizing Layout Parts ...138 Setting Layout Widths ...138 Adding Objects to Layouts ...139 Adding Fields ...139 Specifying the Tab Order...143 Selecting and Modifying Objects ...144 Using the Layout Inspector...145 The Position Tab ...147 The Styles Tab ...150 The Appearance Tab ...152 The Data Tab...154 Understanding Value Lists ...160 Adding Basic Objects ...163 Adding Graphics ...164 Adding Advanced Objects ...165 Buttons ...165 Tab Controls ...166 Slide Controls ...168 Popovers ...169 Web Viewers ...171 Changing Layout Options ...173 Managing Layouts ...175 Layout Tips and Tricks ...175 Undoing Layout Changes ...175 Icons on Layout Objects ...175 Duplicating Layouts ...176 12 Creating Reports and Charts ... 177 Planning Your Report ...178 Understanding Sub-Summary Reports ...178 Creating Report Layouts ...178 Improving Report Layouts ...188 Changing Found Sets ...193 Adding Multiple Sub-summary Parts ...194 Importance of the Sort Order ...196 Removing Body Parts ...196 Previewing and Printing Reports ...197 Printing Labels and Envelopes ...200 Creating Charts ...202 13 Automating Tasks with Scripts ... 207 What Is a Script? ...208 The Manage Scripts Window ...208 Creating Scripts ...213 Script Steps ...222 Control Script Steps ...223 Navigation Script Steps ...228 Editing Script Steps ...229 Field Script Steps ...230 Record Script Steps ...232 Found Set Script Steps ...233 Window Script Steps ...233 File Script Steps ...234 Account Script Steps ...236 Spelling Script Steps ...236 Open Menu Item Script Steps ...236 Miscellaneous Script Steps ...237 Interacting with Users...241 Managing Scripts ...249 Grouping Scripts into Folders ...250 Creating a Default Script ...250 Adding a Field Separator ...250 Duplicating Scripts ...250 Importing Scripts ...251 Deleting Scripts ...251 Printing Scripts ...251 Performing Scripts ...251 Subscripts ...252 Buttons ...252 Script Triggers ...253 Install OnTimer Script ...258 Script Parameters and Results ...259 Handling Script Errors ...262 Running Scripts with Full Access ...265 Part 3: Caring For and Sharing a Database 14 Protecting a Database ... 267 The Importance of Security ...268 The FileMaker Security Model ...268 FileMaker's Default Security Settings ...269 The Manage Security Window ...270 Creating Privilege Sets ...273 Privilege Sets and Scripts ...280 Creating Accounts ...281 Resetting an Account's Password ...286 Securing New Databases ...286 Additional Security Features ...287 Custom Extended Privileges ...287 File Access Control...287 Encryption at Rest ...288 FileMaker Server Security Options ...288 15 Backing Up a Database ... 291 The Importance of Backing Up ...292 Challenges of Backing Up Databases ...292 Performing Backups ...293 Backing Up with FileMaker Server ...295 Creating Backup Strategies ...295 Restoring from Backups ...296 Recovering Damaged Databases ...297 Performing Consistency Checks ...299 16 Sharing a Database ... 301 Hosting with FileMaker Pro ...302 Connecting with FileMaker Pro ...305 Closing Hosted Databases ...306 Sharing Via ODBC ...308 Hosting with FileMaker Server ...308 Increased Support for Concurrent Users ...308 Support for FileMaker WebDirect ...308 Custom Web Publishing ...310 ODBC/JDBC Connections ...310 17 Taking Data with You ... 313 The Role of FileMaker Go ...314 Designing for FileMaker Go ...314 Deployment Options...316 Accessing Hosted Databases ...317 Using Local Databases ...322 Security Considerations ...322 Other Considerations ...323 Part 4: Building Your Own Database 18 Planning Your Database ... 325 Defining Your Goals ...326 Identifying Tables ...326 Identifying Fields ...327 Identifying Relationships ...329 19 Creating Your Database ... 331 Creating Databases from Scratch ...332 Adding Fields Using the Field Picker ...334 Changing a Table's Name ...335 Naming Tables and Fields ...336 20 Expanding the Database ... 339 Adding Additional Tables ...340 Understanding the Relationship Graph...341 Setting Up Relationships ...345 The Importance of Context ...351 Working with Related Records Via Portals ...353 Understanding External Data Sources ...356 TOC, 9780789748843, 11/13/2014