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Creating and managing layouts and reports

FileMaker Pro layouts determine how information is organized for viewing, printing, reporting, finding, and entering data. Layouts don’t store your data—they just display it.

Database files can have many different layouts, which display data in a variety of ways. Within one database file, you can design separate layouts for entering data, reporting summaries, printing mailing labels, displaying data graphically in charts, working with a database in a web browser or on a touch device, and so on. You can change a layout’s design without affecting the data or other layouts for the file. When you change the data in a field, the changes are reflected in the same field on all the layouts in the database.

In a layout, you:

•	choose which fields to display

•	arrange and format fields

•	add or modify field labels

•	create reports, for example, to group or summarize data

•	specify how records are printed

•	add graphics and text to add emphasis and interest

•	specify dimensions for a layout, according to how it will be viewed or printed

When you create a database file (without using one of the Starter Solution files shipped with FileMaker Pro), FileMaker Pro automatically creates a layout for the initial table in the file, and for each newly added table that contains fields.

You create layouts and reports by using the New Layout/Report assistant, which guides you through creating the layout or report according to options you choose, such as the type of device the layout will display on, the default view for the layout, the layout fields, and the way data is grouped and sorted. See Creating a layout.

After creating a layout, you can do things like duplicate, delete, or rename it, or organize layouts into folders. You can also set options to print or preview records in columns, and to control which views are available to view or print the layout.

Related topics 

Best practices for designing layouts

Tips for designing layouts

Creating dynamic reports in Table View

Sorting records by subsummary values

Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background

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