Simplified Relational Data Display
If you know the right check boxes to tick, and how FileMaker behaves behind the scenes, you can create a very minimalist, yet super efficient user interface for presenting information. In this video I do this very thing.
Using the standard Person -> Addresses example, I showcase how you can really simplify the information presented and still retain all of the expected functionality.
The one thing that many database designers (those who do not consider themselves user interface designers) seem to forget is the fact that you don't have to show all the data entry options possible. You can often present only the minimalist amount of information needed for reference and simply facilitate features which allow that information to be extended or edited.
Your FileMaker portals don't have to present data entry options if they at least facilitate navigation of the very data which the user might edit. So, watch this video if you're looking to either streamline your data presentation to just to learn some new FileMaker specific tricks.
Comments
Simplified Data Display
Hello Matt. I very much like the technique you demonstrated for enabling users to see what has to be entered into each field without having to clutter the layout with field labels. However, if users click on such fields twice instead of once - which is very easy to do - they will end up modifying the grey field name instead of entering their actual data in black. This would cause confusion and aggravation, so please tell us how to prevent it. Thank you.
Use TextFormatRemove()
You can use TextFormatRemove() on the auto-enter settings for the field and all formatting will be removed when the field is committed.
-- Matt Petrowsky - ISO FileMaker Magazine Editor