Is there a trick or plug-in that will display columns in Browse mode? I'm developing an image database and want to display multiple rows & columns of images with descriptions.

Have you tried Table View?

Table view displays 1 record per row. I looking to display multiple records per row. Similar to what you can do with a columnar report in Preview mode.

Take a look at how FileMaker Inc. did it in their Photo Catalog sample file (you've got it). They used a layout trick (which you just guessed). They went into Preview mode, on a layout which was set up to print multiple columns, the copied it, then pasted that into a 1-page sized global field.

It looks like multiple columns and records, but it's just one big graphic. They then placed invisible buttons over each "photo," to go to that "record."

Unfortunately they did a lousy job of converting the file from 6 to 7. So they have 16 scripts to go to Record 1, 2, etc., when it could be just 1 script, with a different parameter.

It's also a little awkward, because to change "pages," you have to do the copy/paste over again. Which is not bad, 'cause it's fast enough, but they didn't include a script to go backwards, only forwards. Oh well, the price is right :-|

Another technique, which I've done before is to create portals for the "columns," with calculated keys based on Mod(Get(RecordNumber), 1), Mod(Get(RecordNumber), 2), etc.. This works well also; but there are scrolling problems with thumbnails images. Basically you can't just scroll, 'cause the images don't refresh well when they just "slide" into view.

The solution within the Photo Catalog is exactly what I'm looking for. FileMaker didn't update it for FM7 but those fixes are easy. Thanks for pointing me to the solution.