Is there any way to have a sub-database within a record of a given parent database, so that within record "A" I could add an unlimited amount of sub-records. This may indeed surpass the capabilities of Filemaker.

Hi cbntor!

There may be two things you'll want to consider:

1) It sounds like you're talking about a Relational database? It's very simple to create another database and join the new 'related' child to the Parent database on a unique ID code. For instance, in your Parent db (maybe called Company), have a Unique ID called CompanyID. Then add a field in your newly created child (Contacts) db, name a field CompanyID and this will contain the same ID as its related record in Parent. One Company, many Contacts or as in your other request (Database within a Database), one Contact and many Labels!

This will create a one-to-many (Parent to Child) or 1:n

Relational databases are great and once you start using them, you'll never go back to flatfile structures! This will give you *virtually* unlimited numbers of records!

2) You may also want to consider one field, set up as a multi-key (which just means it contains a delimiter (like a carriage return); however, your request for *unlimited* will, in fact, be limited to something like 64,000.

There are a lot of top-notch experts on this Forum that would walk you through everything you need. If you can give us more specifics, they'll be glad to assist!

By the way, there isn't *anything* FileMaker can't do!! I'm biased, of course, but it's the most flexible and fun program out there!

LaRetta

Of course there's always repeating fields. But LaRetta's suggestions are much better.

Especially the first, becaase that is so easy to set up and is where FM really shines!!