This is why it's important to have some lines of communication between the graphic designer and the database developer, so that someone doesn't rush ahead and do something that no one else can work with.

Actually, as databases go, Filemaker's layout features are pretty good. But, it is a database, not a page layout program. It has limitations. One of them is that it doesn't handle headers that run down the side of the page.

It's kind of difficult to discuss layout issues without an accurate picture of what you are trying to do.

This may not be applicable, but have you tried the trick where you use a skinny title header, and then have the logo etc. overlap from there into the body?

Just leave a wide border on one side of the layout, where the letterhead goes -- not a margin, just resize the text block or field object to leave the white space. However all subsequent pages of the letter will also have this wide margin.

Actually the new design sux. Nobody uses that style any more, simply because it is so hard to implement in word processing and database applications. Like, people generate invoices in Quark Express? Tell 'em to get real.

FileMaker Pro has most of the capabilities of a decent word processing program, all it really lacks is serious text flow controls, kerning and hyphenating (not that I ever use hyphenation). And it's these three things that people use dtp packages for.

Thanks for confirming the seriousness of my problem!!

Any suggestions on getting the integration with MS Word to work. It seems everytime I get an Applescript written and set to work, part of the process breaksdown, not a production level of quality at all.

Anyone have any idea if any of the plug-ins from Troi address these issues of text flowing, etc.

Thanks again...

Randy

Eeeek, I an NOT suggesting integrating with Word or any other package!

Keep it all in FileMaker Pro -- the CEO is 100% correct there. Just get the designers to come up with layouts that fit within FMP's capabilities.

My situation is this