Replacing part of a layout without altering data input?

[Ell]

I have filemakerpro 16. A couple of years ago, I made a dbase based on the “Research” template. A central feature of the template is a 3-tab system that occupies the same space. Somehow, while making some modifications to the layout, I messed up the formatting royally. Don’t know what I did, or how to fix it.

My question is, if I copy that entire section from the template using “edit layout”, can I paste it into my existing database, and have it retain all the formatting, without it altering the data already input?

Would appreciate some advice.

Stokesy

[comment]

3 hours ago, Ell said:

if I copy that entire section from the template using “edit layout”, can I paste it into my existing database, and have it retain all the formatting, without it altering the data already input?

Yes. Layout modifications do not affect the data.

That said, I would recommend that you make a backup before doing any modifications to your file - just in case something goes wrong.

 

Edited May 14 by comment

[Ell]

Thanks! And good advice. I should have made a back up, but the modifications I was making were so minor, I never thought to do it. Lesson learned.

Speaking of Backups, do you know which is the best option on the "Save a copy as" drop down menu to use? Copy of current file, Compacted copy, Clone or Self Contained copy?

Edited May 14 by Ell

[Ocean West]

• Copy of current file is 1:1 of your file
• Compacted is a thinned down variant on occasion useful to reclaim space if you add and delete lots of records
• Clone will only be schema NO DATA 
• Self Contained will move any external storage in to local storage. 

[Ell]

Thank you for the explanation! Sounds like Copy of current file would be best for routine backups.

Ell

[Ocean West]

If the file is closed you can duplicate the file using the operating system - just make sure the file is closed. 

 

[Ell]

OK. Thanks again. 👍

[comment]

36 minutes ago, Ocean West said:

If the file is closed you can duplicate the file using the operating system

Or just compress it.