Database Reference
In-Depth Information
TIP
If the “Show repetitions” and “to” options are grayed out and you see (1 defined) it means your field
isn't defined as a repeating field. You can change that by visiting File→Manage→Database, select-
ing the field and then clicking Options. Under the Storage tab, set the Maximum number of repeti-
tions to any number greater than one.
Once you've figured out which repetitions to show, you get to pick an orientation. Your
choices are Horizontal and Vertical, and
Figure 7-27
makes sense of them.
WORKAROUND WORKSHOP: FLEXIBLE REPETITIONS
Suppose you
want
to show noncontiguous ranges of repeating fields. Or you need something more
flexible than a straight up-and-down or side-to-side orientation. For example, your layout may be
easier on the eyes if it shows the first 10 repetitions in one stack, and the next 10 in another stack
right beside the first set. Or you may want to show just the even-numbered repetitions. Or perhaps
you're determined to see repetition number 1, then 11 through 13, then 7 and 8, and finally number
281. No matter how capricious your desires, FileMaker is up to the job.
Here's the trick: Put the field on the layout
more than once
. Or, more correctly, put several field con-
trols on the layout, all associated with the same field. For example, suppose you have a repeating
field called Dimensions. It holds all the various measurements for a particular sprocket in your cata-
log. Now imagine you want to show the first 10 repetitions in a vertical stack, with the next 10 be-
side it.
First, add the field to the layout using the Field tool. From the Inspector's Data tab, configure it to
show repetitions 1 through 10 in a vertical orientation. Now duplicate the whole shebang. Select the
copy, move it to its own plot of layout land and then visit the Inspector once more. Configure this
version of the field control to show repetitions 11 through 20. If you head back to Browse mode,
then you see that you have all 20 repetitions on the layout, arranged the way you wanted.
By using various combinations of repeating field controls in various configurations, you can arrange
field repetitions any way you want—even if you have to add a separate control for each repetition.
