I am a manager of a research laboratory. I inherited a Filemaker database (Filemaker 7, Mac OS X) that the lab uses for ordering equipment and supplies. I can use the database as is, but I would like to modify it. It seems that the first step is to get it into the "Layout" mode, but this is grayed out. Also the "Define" option is grayed out under the File menu. I am a complete novice when it comes to Filemaker. Can anyone help? Thanks.

It sounds like you aren't using the Full Access (Admin) account when logging in (or the Full Access account has been removed by the developer). Does it ask for an account and password when logging in? Are you logging in as Guest?

If you don't have the Full Access account, you may need to contact the original developer, or look for an archive that was never password protected.

Thank you very much for your response. It doesn't ask for any log in info. The developer was a graduate student in the lab who is long gone. I assume from what you are saying that this is now a fixed database that can't be altered (unless we can find the Full Access account). Is there some way that we can use this as a template to make a new database that we can alter?

Thank you again for your help.

Sorry, No. You'll need the Full Access account to do any sort of development with the file or its copies.

One thing you could try is holding down the shift key when you open the db, it will prompt you to login under another account. It is possible that the original developer did something simple like login: admin password: admin, or even left the password blank, which is not recommended but is allowed. Good luck with it.