FileMaker Pro 7 Bible

Updated to reflect the latest version of FileMaker Pro, this book helps developers and corporate users create more complex databases. It's is a significant revision that covers both the Mac and Windows versions of FileMaker Pro, and has comprehensive coverage of FileMaker Pro, providing step-by-step procedures for virtually all FileMaker Pro tasks and features.

If FileMaker Pro 7 can do it, you can do it too ...

Whether your organization uses Mac, Windows, or a combination of both, FileMaker Pro gives you the tools to build custom database solutions that work. This book teaches you how to use them, whether you’re a FileMaker Pro user, an experienced database developer, or new to database development. From the fundamentals of database design and management to sophisticated applications like sharing data via ODBC, JDBC, and XML, publishing your database on a corporate intranet, or designing databases for others to use, this reference has you covered.

Inside, you’ll find complete coverage of FileMaker Pro 7

• Discover what makes good database design and how to build databases to meet your needs
• Get acquainted with the enhanced capabilities of FileMaker Pro 7 and see how it differs from previous versions
• Search, sort, and select database records and use them to produce reports
• Make calculations and computations and exchange data among databases
• Automate FileMaker Pro with ScriptMaker
• Create templates and apply them to various data requirements
• Link databases and use FileMaker Pro in workgroups
• Find out about new plug–ins and custom functions available in FileMaker Pro 7
• Learn to use new developer tools to create more complex databases

Bonus CD–ROM includes

• Trial versions of FileMaker Pro 7 and the FileMaker XSLT Library
• Important sample files from the book
• Demo versions of Troi Text plug–in and Fmrobot

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

Part I: The Fundamentals.

Chapter 1: What Is a Database?

Chapter 2: FileMaker Pro Basic Operations.

Chapter 3: What s New in FileMaker Pro 7?

Part II: Database Design Basics.

Chapter 4: Creating Your First Database.

Chapter 5: Defining Fields.

Chapter 6: Layouts.

Chapter 7: Setting Preferences.

Part III: Working with Databases.

Chapter 8: Working with Records.

Chapter 9: Searching for and Selecting Records.

Chapter 10: Sorting Records.

Chapter 11: Reports.

Chapter 12: Using the Spelling Checker.

Chapter 13: Printing.

Part IV: Putting FileMaker Pro to Work.

Chapter 14: Calculations and Computations.

Chapter 15: Automating FileMaker Pro.

Chapter 16: Exchanging Data.

Chapter 17: Creating and Using Templates.

Part V: Mastering FileMaker Pro.

Chapter 18: Linking Tables: Relationships and Lookups.

Chapter 19: Using FileMaker Pro in Workgroups.

Chapter 20: Web Publishing with FileMaker Pro.

Chapter 21: Advanced Database Connectivity with XML and ODBC/JDBC.

Chapter 22: Expanding FileMaker s Capabilities Using Plug–Ins.

Part VI: Developing Databases for Others to Use.

Chapter 23: Designing Databases for Others.

Chapter 24: Debugging Scripts.

Chapter 25: Generating Database Reports.

Chapter 26: Creating Custom Database Solutions.

Part VII: Appendixes.

Appendix A: Macintosh Keyboard Shortcuts.

Appendix B: Windows Keyboard Shortcuts.

Appendix C: FileMaker Pro Function Reference.

Appendix D: Glossary.

Appendix E: Resources.

Appendix F: About the CD.

Index.

End–User License Agreement.

Dennis R. Cohen has been developing software and writing about it since the late 1970s. Starting in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory s Deep Space Network (DSN), through stints at Ashton–Tate, Claris, and Aladdin Systems, he was involved in creating and maintaining such packages as the DSN Station Scheduling System, dBASE III, dBASE Mac, FileMaker, ClarisWorks, Claris Resolve, and many others.
During this time, Dennis wrote numerous articles appearing in a variety of different publications, including Personal Computing, Macintosh Today, Macworld, and MacTutor. The author (or co–author) of over a dozen books, including AppleWorks 6 Bible, AppleWorks 6 For Dummies, Mac OS X Bible, iLife Bible, Teach Yourself Visually iLife 04 (all Wiley), and Mac Digital Photography (Sybex), Dennis has also been the technical editor for over 100 titles, including all previous editions of FileMaker Pro Bible.
Dennis resides in Sunnyvale, California, with his best friend a Boston terrier named Spenser. You can find out more about him at his Web site at http://homepage.mac.com/drcohen.

In 1978, Dr. Steven Schwartz bought his first microcomputer, a new Apple II+. Determined to find a way to make money with it, he began writing software reviews, BASIC programs, and user tips for Nibble magazine. Shortly thereafter, he was made a contributing editor.
Over the past 20 years, Steve has written hundreds of articles for more than a dozen computer magazines. He currently writes for Macworld magazine. He was also a founding editor of Software Digest as well as a business editor for MACazine. From 1985 to 1990, he was the director of technical services for Funk Software.
Steve is the author of more than 40 books, including all editions of Macworld ClarisWorks/AppleWorks Bible and the FileMaker Pro Bible (Wiley); Running Microsoft Office 2001 (Microsoft Press); Visual QuickStart Guide for Internet Explorer 5 for Windows, Internet Explorer 5 for Macintosh, Entourage 2001 for Macintosh, CorelDraw 10 for Windows, and Office v.X for Macintosh (Peachpit Press); and dozens of popular game strategy guides.
Steve has a Ph.D. in psychology and presently lives in the fictional town of Lizard Spit, Arizona, where he writes books and complains about the heat. His official Web site is www.siliconwasteland.com.