Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Normally, FileMaker saves the report in HTML format so you can read and navigate it in any
web browser, but it also offers a more structured XML format. XML files aren't easy for
hu-
mans
to read, but with the help of other software, you can process the XML and integrate in-
formation about your database into other systems. Furthermore, some companies make DDR
analysis tools that process the XML version of your DDR and provide extra tools for brows-
ing, finding, and reporting on the information it contains.
When you're done making decisions, click Create. FileMaker asks you what to name and
where to save the report (For simplicity's sake, it's probably best to keep the automatic name
“Summary”). The DDR is made up of several files, so you probably want to make a new
folder to hold the report. The more complex your files, the longer it takes to create the DDR.
In a file with dozens of tables, each of which may have dozens or even hundreds of fields,
this could take a minute or more. FileMaker displays a progress bar for you, so you can
gauge how long the process will take.
NOTE
A DDR is a snapshot of the database at the moment you create it. So it's good to make periodic
DDRs as your database evolves. You can create a record of when you added or changed various
parts of the database. A DDR can also help with troubleshooting broken elements.
Using the DDR
If you turned on “Automatically open report when done” when you create an HTML-format-
ted DDR, then FileMaker launches your browser and shows you the DDR Report Overview
(
Figure 13-12
) as soon as the progress bar disappears.
This window shows the main report file, and it has links that bring up the detail pages. To
view the DDR later, go to where you saved it and then open the primary file, usually called
“Summary,” although you can name it whatever you wish at the time you create the DDR.
(You also see a folder named for each file you selected when you created the DDR.)
