Help with layout!

[Matthew R White]

File 1 is how I'd like it to look as I've set it up in layout mode.

However File 2 is how it looks in browse mode. I've played with the page size dimensions and that worked to an extent however I just want this layout to look like this, I have multiple other layouts that need to stay the same regular letter page size.

Many thanks,fmp1.tifffmp2.tiff

[comment]

What exactly is your question?

[Matthew R White]

As you can see I created a layout (fmp1) with blue boxes to the right of my main page.

Once I go from Layout mode to Browse mode, the boxes to the right of the page appear stretched to the right.

How do I fix this?

[comment]

I see yellow fields stretched to the right, not blue boxes. The reason for this is that they are set to auto-resize to the right:

http://www.filemaker.com/11help/html/edit_layout.10.9.html#1027936

[Matthew R White]

That fixed it! Thank you soo much!! Such a simple fix!

[comment]

That's good. Now, may I suggest your color choices are ... how should I put it? I'm afraid "hideous" is the only word that comes to mind.

[David McQueen]

That's good. Now, may I suggest your color choices are ... how should I put it? I'm afraid "hideous" is the only word that comes to mind.

Take a look at other programs. I'm a Mac guy and am not particularly fond of Office, but there is a reason for the ubiquitous grey. People pound on the Office suite for hours at a time. Bright colors cause early fatigue due to "Eye Fry".

Also look at page layouts, say in catalogues or other print media where a lot of different information is being presented. This will give you some guidance on how to design a screen so that it engages the user instead of overwhelming them.

Try to follow a standard theme that gets mirrored from screen to screen. You are creating a little universe for your users. Try to make it consistent.

Look at your navigation within the program. There are basically three types:

Sequential ( or bunny navigation): Forward and back like a browser button. It is how a rabbit explores from it's den. Go out one way. come back. Go out another way. Come back

Lateral: You can go anywhere from anyplace. The best example is tabbed navigation on a web browser. Where you go next is not tied to where you are now.

Blind: This is where you call up a new window for some purpose. Your only option when done is to dismiss the window.

Sequential is great for beginners. If they get lost, all they have to do is keep clicking back and eventually they go home.

Lateral is wonderful for power users and users that require quick response, but others can get lost.

Blind is good for filing in parameters and for being able to pull up several different things on one screen.

A general mix that I try to use is sequential or blind navigation from one disjointed part of a program to another. They know they are going somewhere different and that they can come back. Lateral within a particular part so that related tasks can be done quickly and efficiently.

HTH