FileMaker Pro 3.0 Has Relational Powers
With over 100 new features and productivity tools, FileMaker Pro 3.0 has added powerful relational capabilities.
Of special note, more than 40 pre-designed education-specific templates for applications such as attendance, student records, inventory and mailing lists are included. These new templates have field names and pre-sized fields and may be further customized with ease.
Version 3.0 can create and display relationships between multiple files and combine information in multiple fields without duplicating data. Educators may also paste related data between files via an intuitive Lookup function.
Other new features are the ability to do "mail merges" entirely from within FileMaker, a new Portal tool to view and edit data from other files in a window, new text and formatting tools for every text field, and expanded online tutorials and context-sensitive help.
One can open up to 50 files at once (the previous limit was 16 files). TCP/IP networks are also now supported. Those using FileMaker Pro 2.1 can upgrade to 3.0 and maintain existing data, layout and graphics.
Plus, teachers can integrate math functions (spreadsheets), language (word processing) and data collection (data base) all within FileMaker Pro 3.0. This facilitates creation of thematic lesson plans and layering of cross-curricular activities.
FileMaker Pro 3.0 is the only cross-platform, end-user data base that is multi-user and network-ready right out of the box, according to Claris. The suggested education retail price is $119, the U.S. education upgrade price is $89, and there is a Server version available as well. Claris Corp., Santa Clara, CA, (800) 747-7483, www.claris.com.
This article originally appeared in the 05/01/1996 issue of THE Journal.