Topic 5 - Navigating in FileMaker Pro
Menu Bar: The FileMaker Pro menu bar (with File, Edit, View, etc.) is across the top of the screen.
Toolbar: The toolbar, just below the menu bar, has icons for finding and showing records, spell check, etc.
Status Area: The gray area on the left of the standard FileMaker Pro screen is called the status area.
Modes: Starting at the top of the status area, there are four buttons that allow you to switch among modes - Browse, Find, Layout and Preview. (Layout is only available if you purchase FileMaker Pro software; it isn't available in the runtime version.) THESE BUTTONS ARE NEW -- these provide another option for going into "FIND MODE" or "PREVIEW."
Layout Menu: The Layout Menu is a dropdown menu that lists all of the available layouts (screens) for this file. Each layout gives you a different way of looking at the data - such as a data entry screen, a list of records, or a summary report. THE LAYOUT MENU LOOKS A BIT DIFFERENT IN THIS VERSION OF FILEMAKER PRO.
Book: The next item in the status area is the Book - which helps you navigate from one record to another. Click on the top page to move to the previous record or click on the bottom page to move to the next record. Use the small slider next to the book to move quickly through the database.
Screen Size: Use the buttons in the bottom left corner to Zoom in or out to adjust the screen size.
Hide/Show Status Area: The bottom left corner also has a button that allows you to hide or display the Status Area.
Mode Menu: The button along the bottom that says "Browse" is the Mode Menu - click to see a popup menu with the three available modes - BROWSE, PREVIEW and FIND.
Click Window on the menu bar ... this will open a list of the database files that are currently open. Click on any file to move directly to that file rather than going back to the main menu. This is a quick and perfectly safe way to move around within the database.
Navigation. In FileMaker Pro, you can use the TAB key or the mouse to move from field to field. * You can use the arrow keys or the space bar to select options within popup lists, radio buttons and checkbox fields. * You can type the first few letters of a word to go quickly to that option in a popup list or use the mouse or arrow key to move through the options.
To avoid fatigue and muscle cramps, try to vary your routine - use the TAB key sometimes and the mouse at other times. If you are entering lots of data, stop occasionally to wiggle your fingers and rest your eyes. Change the screen size (View, Set Zoom Level or use screen size buttons in the bottom left corner of screen) to have a comfortable view of the screen.
For more tips, read "Useful Keystrokes - Twelve Keystrokes that Save a Lot of Time."