Inserting content into container fields

Adding and viewing data > Using data in container fields > Inserting content into container fields

You can add content, such as a graphic (or image), audio/video, PDF, or a file of any type, to a container field by inserting it, using drag and drop, or pasting the file from the Clipboard.

For a list of supported image and audio/video formats, see Using data in container fields.

You can use a container field to store files of any type, such as spreadsheet files, word processing files, or any other file type that you want to track. When you insert a file, FileMaker Pro displays the file’s icon and name in the container field, but not the actual content.

Note To insert packaged files, such as Keynote files, into a container field, archive or zip the packaged files.

To insert a graphic, audio/video, PDF or file of any type:

1. In Browse mode, click the container field.

When you select a rotated field in Browse mode, the field is temporarily displayed unrotated while the field is selected.

2. Add your file to the container field:


To insert	Do this
A graphic	Choose Insert menu > Picture.
An audio/video file	Choose Insert menu > Audio/Video. If this menu item is dimmed, the field is optimized for static content. You can insert a file as audio/video only in an interactive container. See Working with audio and video in interactive containers.
A PDF file	Choose Insert menu > PDF. If this menu item is dimmed, one of the following applies: •The field is optimized for static content. You can insert a file as a PDF only in an interactive container. See Working with PDF files in interactive containers. •Windows: No web browser plug-in (such as Adobe Reader) is installed on your local computer. Install a web browser plug-in for PDF files, and try to insert a PDF file again.
A file of any type	Choose Insert menu > File.

3. In the dialog box, choose the file.

Choose the desired file type for Files of type (Windows) or Show (OS X).

4. Choose a storage option, then click Open.

If you select Store only a reference to the file, FileMaker Pro doesn't import the file; it only keeps track of where it is on your hard disk. This option may reduce the size of your FileMaker Pro file, but if you move or delete the file, FileMaker Pro won't be able to display it. If you chose Insert menu > File, choose this option if you want to be able to open the file from the container field.

Tips

•To display the same graphic in all records (for example, a company logo), insert the graphic onto a layout. See Inserting graphics onto a layout.

•If you select Store only a reference to the file, one way to see the location of the file on your hard disk is to create a calculation using the GetAsText function.

•FileMaker Pro uses the orientation attribute set by many cameras to display photographs right side up in container fields.

•To open a file that has been inserted into a container field (using Insert menu > File and choosing Store only a reference to the file), select the container field and then press the Space bar, or double-click the container field.

•When you drag a file into a container field, FileMaker Pro embeds the data in the container field.

•OS X: Plug-ins stored in container fields are compressed by default.