One of FileMaker’s best advantages is its ability to quickly provide an interface to common data tasks. Sorting, filtering and analysis, via automated routines, make a database system better suited to routine tasks. Primarily, because you can control the user interface.

Typically, spreadsheet users don’t think in terms of disjointed data. Boiling data down into a relational model is something which takes a bit of patience and know-how. Data collection, however, is easily done within a spreadsheet because it’s super simple. Rows and Columns, rows and columns.

When distributed data collection becomes a high priority and handling scale is important, then using FileMaker Server’s Web Direct technology isn’t always the ideal solution.

If collecting data from thousands of people within a short period of time is needed, then there are only a few options when it comes to FileMaker. You can provide a distributed database file which runs on mobile and import all the individual files into one or you can use a free service like Google Forms.

The route of using Google Forms is both immediate and easy. The software, a browser, is already on the device and the problem of displaying and allowing user interaction is already solved. All you need to do is create the form and then create the system around it.

In this video, you’ll learn the ins-and-outs of using Google Forms in conjunction with a FileMaker system. If quick and easy is your goal for data collection, then it doesn’t get much easier than this!

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