Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure A-4. The Mac version of the Starter Solution window shows groups of solutions in the same
window. The Windows version shows a single thumbnail when you click a solution from the list.
Either way, use the thumbnails to help you decide which one you want.
Starter Solutions can help you get up and running with basic data management tasks if you
don't have time to figure out how things work in FileMaker's universe. But these templates
also serve another purpose—as an introduction to FileMaker Pro 13's new layout design
tools. You'll see a variety of styles and techniques that you can adapt for your own data-
bases—even if you aren't interested in the task the file was meant to perform.
Each template stores different kinds of data, so it's helpful to explore several templates to get
ideas for arranging and grouping your data effectively. In general, you usually see an easy-to-
read name near the top of the layout, which serves to orient people to the task at hand. Also
near the top of each layout, you'll find a couple of rows of navigation tools and buttons
grouped together by function. The largest portion of the layout is dedicated to a logical ar-
rangement of data fields.
Finally, FileMaker's templates contain ideas you can use for creating relationships, buttons,
and scripts to make your own databases more powerful. For instance, the Contact Manage-
