Chapter 11. Creating Layouts

FileMaker's layouts allow you to vary the appearance of your data without changing the data itself. This gives you the freedom to create layouts tailored to specific tasks and users. Workers entering orders will find it easier to use a layout that mirrors the sequence of information they get from customers. Sales managers may prefer layouts that help them spot what's selling well. Day-to-day tasks need a different layout than big-picture analysis demands. Remember: You need not show all of a database in a layout. In fact, the more you can pare down a layout to just the essential information, the easier it will be to use.

The Layout status area (Figure 11.1) runs down the left side of your screen when you're in Layout mode. The status area includes all the tools you'll need for adding text, graphics, fields, and parts to a layout and then applying colors, patterns, and lines to make them attractive.

Figure 11.1. All the tools for creating layouts reside in the left-hand status area when you're in Layout mode.

You don't necessarily need to start from scratch to create layouts: FileMaker includes dozens of built-in templates. Some you may want to use as is, others may provide a starting point for creating your own custom layouts. For more information, see page 147.