hello! i am new to this group and new to FileMaker 6 - I think I used it last about 6 years ago...

SO, I downloaded a set of databases called "Classmate" which addressed some of the issues I needed to address with a database, but the problem was, it was for a school where one kid is in one class ("grade 4") for an entire year. I teach at a college where 20 kids are in multiple classes that repeat every other month.

What I need is for the student's name to be related to the assignments which are related to the class title. So Steve Smith is in 3D Modeling and DVD Authoring. the assignments remain the same every time the class repeats, but of course I need to keep Steve's grades for the class with Steve. i have a "Grades" database, where I enter the grades and the assignments in relation to Steve, I have an "Assignments" database wherein I define the assignments and the class title and term. i have a "Students" database wherein student info (age, address, and grades and class title are available) is listed.

I cannot figure out how to say When i am in the student database, and I pick Steve, i need to ALSO pick the class title to get the grades for the assignemnts for THAT CLASS. So 3 things need to be related! i am confused. Is this too much for a message group?! i hope not - any help or places for me to go for help would be appreciated! thanks!

K.C. Murphy

expression center for new media

Best thing to do it to pickup a book on relational design.

Do a search at your local bookseller or on Amazon.com and you will find tons of them.

For a Filemaker-specific book that covers this pretty will try Advanced Filemaker Pro 5.5 Techniques for Developers by Chris Moyer and Bob Bowers.

What you are having problems with is the understanding of how all these tables and records relate to each other, once you understand basic relational design, you can then diagram your solution and you will see how it all fits together.