ETS Workshop: Intro To FileMaker Pro

1
ETS WorkshopIntro To FileMaker Pro

• Agenda
• March 20, 2002

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What is a database?

• Collection of records of related data

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Database Attributes

• Data types are consistent across records
• Data are stored in fields (name/value)
• You dont have to view all records
• You dont have to view all fields
• You can sort by any appropriate field

4
Database Terms

• Record
• Field
• Layout
• Searching
• Sorting

5
Record

• A record is a set of related data. A database
  consists of a set of related records.
• We will learn
• How to create new records
• How to enter data into records

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Field

• Each record is a unique set of data values
  entered into named fields. They are name/value
  pairs.
• We will learn
• How to create new fields
• Field types
• How to change a fields look
• Auto-entry, Validation and Value-list features

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Layout

• You can view all data as entered, or a subset of
  all available fields in a different layout.
• We will learn
• How to create new layouts
• Using the Layout Wizard
• Switching between layouts

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Searching

• When you conduct a search, you look for match
  criteria in specific fields. This results in a
  found set of records, which are those made
  available for browsing.
• We will learn
• How to do simple and Boolean searches
• How to omit single and multiple records

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Sorting

• Records are initially displayed in their creation
  order, also described as unsorted. You can sort
  by any valid sortable field.
• We will learn
• How to use multiple sort criteria
• Sort orders (ascending, descending, custom)
• Difference between sorted, unsorted and
  semi-sorted

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Scripting

• Repeatedly performing redundant tasks can be
  automated by creating a script. Scripts can
  conduct searches, switch layouts, print, etc.
• We will learn
• How to use the layout wizard to create a script
• How to create or modify our own script

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Creating a New Database

• From scratch
• Use paper/pencil first
• Determine needs
• Work out details
• From importing existing data
• Determine conversion
• Normalize data
• Save original backup
• May need to convert original to comma-delimited

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Next week (Review session)

• Finish unfinished business
• Graphic backgrounds
• Normalizing data
• Convert sample data
• Assist in developing scripts, etc.
• QA problems encountered
• Enjoy a brown bag lunch