FileMaker Pro 4.1 Mac User's Guide

10-40 FileMaker Pro User’s Guide
Tip If you use fields that contain identification numbers, plan the field
formats when you plan the database files. For example, customer
identification numbers can be telephone numbers, serial numbers, or a
combination of a telephone number and first name.
You can enhance this simple invoicing system in many ways.
For example:
1 Place a button in the Order Entry layout in the Invoices file that
agents click when a new customer calls. The button performs a script
that switches to the Customers file, pauses for the agent to enter
information, and then switches back to the Invoices file.
1 Use the Line Items file to create reports, like how many items were
sold in February.
1 In the Products file, include fields for product information, like
weight, color, and so on.
1 Create a Vendors file with information about companies that supply
products. Define a Vendor ID field in the Products file, and then
define a relationship to a Vendor ID field in the Vendors file.
Example step 2: Define fields
After you plan the invoicing system, create the database files and define
the fields. (See “Defining database fields” on page 2-3.) Create the files
that contain lookup source fields first.
1. Define these fields in the Customers file:
Field names Field type Select this Auto Enter entry option
Customer ID Number Serial number
First Name, Last Name,
Address, City, State
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