Creating and managing layouts and reports

Contents > Creating and managing layouts and reports > Creating and managing layouts and reports

Creating and managing layouts and reports

FileMaker Pro layouts determine how information is organized for viewing, printing, reporting, finding, and entering data. Layouts don't store your data—they just display it.

Database files can have many different layouts, which display data in a variety of ways. Within one database file, you can design separate layouts for entering data, reporting summaries, printing mailing labels, publishing a database on the Web, and so on. You can change a layout's design without affecting the data or other layouts for the file. When you change the data in a field, the changes are reflected in the same field on all the layouts in the database.

In a layout, you:

choose which fields to display

arrange and format fields

add or modify field labels

create reports, for example, to group or summarize data

specify how records are printed

add graphics and text to add emphasis and interest

When you create a database file (without using one of the database template files shipped with FileMaker Pro), FileMaker Pro automatically creates a Standard form layout for the initial table in the file, and for each newly added table that contains fields.

You create additional layouts by switching to Layout mode and using the New Layout/Report assistant, a wizard that guides you through creating the layout according to options you choose. In addition to Standard form, there are four other types of layouts and one view that you can create with the New Layout/Report assistant. Use these different types for various purposes, like displaying a data entry screen or printing a totaled sales report or mailing labels. You can create as many layouts as you need for a file. If you wish, you can customize each layout further by using the design tools that are available in Layout mode.

More detail about creating and managing layouts

Creating and managing layouts

Working with layout parts

Adding fields to a layout

Drawing and inserting objects on a layout

Working with tab controls on layouts

Working with web viewers on layouts

Controlling how layouts print

Troubleshooting layouts

Editing objects on layouts

About FileMaker Pro modes

Contents > Creating and managing layouts and reports > Creating and managing layouts and reports