Creating File List Fields

Use a file list field to store a list of aliases to files or folders on your computer. Each alias contains a path to a specific file or folder in a specific location on your hard drive.

Storing a file alias creates a connection, or link, to the actual file on your computer. Moving, renaming, or deleting the file will break the connection to that file. (To re-establish the connection, you will need to add the file alias into the field again.) Aliased files are included when you export a template with data but not when you back up or restore data.

You can quickly open files or applications that are stored in file list fields. For example, you could store an alias to a PDF file of a prospective employee's resume. If you double-click the PDF icon, the document opens in your system's default application for viewing PDF files.

To create a file list field and add files to it:

1	Choose Insert > New Field or press Control-N.

2	Choose File List.

3	Name the field.

4	Click Create.

The new field is added to the Fields pane and the current form.

Tip  You can see file list fields in form view but not in table view. Choose View > Split View so that when you’re working in table view you can also see file list fields in form view.

5	In the bottom-left corner of the table for the file list field, click or choose Insert > File.

6	In the Open dialog, navigate to the file you want to include in the file list field, then click Select.

You can also drag files from the Finder to the file list field.

7	To open a file in the field, click and choose Open, or double-click the file thumbnail or row in the field.

•	Folders are not included when you export a template with data.

•	You can preview files that are stored in file list fields with Quick Look. See ”Previewing Files with Quick Look” on page 99. See also ”Working with Files Stored in File List Fields and Message List Fields” on page 98.

•	When you export records with a template that includes data, aliased files are also exported. For more information, see ”Exporting from a Library, Collection, or Smart Collection” on page 123.

 

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