Database Reference
In-Depth Information
spector's Data tab when in Layout mode. If the Inspector isn't onscreen, choose View→In-
spector or type Ctrl+I (
⌘
-I).
Edit Box
Most of the fields you've used so far have been
edit boxes
. These fields are the click-and-
type variety that normal people call a
text box
. Distinctive as always, FileMaker has its own
moniker. No matter what you call it—edit box or text box—this sort of control isn't limited
to just text. You can use an edit box with number fields, date fields, and so on.
When you select the edit box format, you have the choice of turning on the “Include vertical
scroll bar” checkbox. You saw this option when you added a scroll bar to the Notes field on
Field Controls
.
If you anticipate that a field will hold lots of information, a scroll bar can be a
good idea, as
Figure 7-20
shows.
Drop-Down List
This field type
looks
just like an edit box. But when you click into the field, a list of available
choices appears just below it (see
Figure 7-21
).
The items in the list come from a value list. When you pick the Drop-down list type, you get
a “Values from” pop-up menu. From this menu, choose the value list to use. You can also
open the Manage Value Lists window by clicking the button with the pencil icon just to the
right of the pop-up menu.
NOTE
If you don't apply borders to a Drop-down list, then the show/hide arrow appears only when the
field is active. Add field borders (at least a right border) to make the arrow show.
