This is most likely a trivial solution to most of you but I'm perplexed on how to proceed.

Normally I create all of my tables in a single instance of a database and get all of my information from the relationships developed in the database.

Now, I have three totally independent databases [all FMP] one of which needs to get selective information from the other two. In some respects this is a type of 'dashboard' concept . . highlighting specific information from completely independent databases.

I can't seem to find any way to access this information other than through the relationship process, which requires me to import the tables. I've established the file references for these two tables, but don't really want to set up a relationship that requires me to import the 'foreign' tables. My thought is that all I'll have is a duplicate instance of the foreign table, when I'm looking to access 'live' information.

Am I missing a basic tenet of FMP 8.5 or do I need to investigate another approach.

Amy--

You're missing a basic tenet: Establishing relationships between tables in separate files doesn't import the table--it simply creates a pointer to the remote table. The data remains in the other file and is edited/added to that remote table.

HTH,

David

David;

Thanks . . I can't breath again.