FileMaker Pro 4.1 Mac User's Guide

7-6 FileMaker Pro User’s Guide
Working with shared files
When a shared file is open, the host and guests have access to the same
information. FileMaker Pro saves a shared file on the disk where the file
resides. It saves changes that the host and guests made to the file,
including changes to records, layouts, and scripts.
FileMaker Pro limits access to some commands and records to keep
users from interfering with each other.
This user Can perform these tasks
Host and all guests
(every user)
Host or one guest
(only one user at
a time)
Host only (all guests
must close their
connections to
the file)
1 Find, sort, or browse records
1 Specify a page setup and print
1 Switch layouts or modes
1 Import or export data
1 Check the spelling of a found set
1 Perform a script by choosing it from the Script menu or clicking
a button defined for the script
1 Change global values. Only the host’s changes are saved with the
file. When guests open a file with global fields, they see the
current values. If the host changes a global value, guests don’t see
the change until they close the file and then reopen it.
1 Open the ScriptMaker dialog box
1 Define or change relationships
1 Define or change passwords
1 Define or change value lists
1 Edit a record or layout. Others can view the record, but no one can
modify it until the current user moves to another record or presses
Enter in Browse mode. In Layout mode, the current user must
move to another layout or switch to another mode.
1 Define fields or change field definitions
1 Reorder layouts
1 Define, delete, or change groups and access privileges
1 Save copies of a file with the Save a Copy As command
1 Switch the file status between multi-user and single user
1 Close a shared file
While you are working with a shared file, you might see the
pointer change.
This pointer Means FileMaker Pro is
Waiting to receive data from the network
Waiting for the host to finish processing a request from another user