relationships between multiple files on a network

[blujett8]

hi 

 

I'm fairly new to FM relationships and am looking at a design solution for a set of 4 database files set up on a network.

Each database is in a separate file and each of the files holds an account for a company. My employer would like the files to auto-populate for certain fields such as address and email (shared clients) as well as connect with their respective website contact forms.

I'm trying to get a grasp on the best way to proceed since the design has already been established. I'm clear on how to set up relationships within a single file but quite lost regarding multiple file situation. I don't want to propose to my employer that they combine files for ease of relationship design if there is a better way to proceed. Any insight or direction toward design solutions are appreciated. If the more complex task of building relationships between multiple files is the best way to go, I'll likely find an expert developer for the task, but I don't want to miss a simpler solution. 

thanks !

[LaRetta]

Hi blujett8, welcome to FMForum!

Proper base structure is the most important part, everything else can be easily changed and I highly encourage everyone to have professional eyes on their beginning builds ( and even later review of solutions can be helpful ). I have many clients who are newer developers and I work 1:1 with them periodically, re-directing their progress when they get off track. It can save many hair-pulling hours for newer folks. But many are brave enough to upload their work here for review and we are happy to do so. And many like to struggle through themselves and we support their efforts quite successfully.

Everything can take place in a single file. You go to File > Manage > External Data Sources and add your other files. Even easier is go to the graph and add new occurrence and select and add your other file's tables there.

If you are new, an hour or two walk-through on Skype with a professional can provide you the basic understanding of FileMaker's unique design requirements, explaining relational design, explaining table occurrences, and help demystify the beginning process.

I suspect those company accounts should be in a single table ( within a single file ) since they appear to be same entity.

Again, welcome :-)

[blujett8]

thank you for much for the direction and the welcome