i've noticed that in lots of tutorial FMP databases that when you open the 'first' (or master) file all the "related" and necessary others files also open -automatically, underneath, IIRC.

how does this occur? i.e., how do i make this happen?

Thanks.

Related files will open automatically when information from them is needed. In designing a database system, we often want to contol the user experience and prevent the delay imposed by waiting for a relate file to open when you move to a particular layout. What we usually do is set a startup script in first or master file that uses the script step "Open (hidden)" to open all of the needed files as part of the initial launch.

-bd