Creating and managing layouts and reports > Adding fields to a layout > Placing and removing fields on a layout
 
Placing and removing fields on a layout
After you define a field, you can add it anywhere on a layout. Fields can be either from the same table, a related table in the same file, or a related table in another FileMaker Pro file.
You can place related fields directly on a layout or in a portal, but the results are different. See Deciding where to place related fields.
To place a field on a layout:
1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want to work on from the Layout pop-up menu.
2. Do one of the following:
To add a field, drag a field from the Field tool Field tool in the status toolbar to the position you want on the layout. As you drag the field onto the layout, you see a border and text baselines to help you align the field with other objects on the layout. Release the mouse button when the field is where you want it.
If you're placing a related field in a portal, position it in the first row of the portal. Make sure each field in the portal is from a table related to the table that the portal is set up to display records from. See Creating portals to display related records.
To add and resize a field, click the arrow next to the Field/Control tool Field/Control tool (Windows) or click and hold the Field/Control tool Field/Control tool (OS X) in the status toolbar. Drag the crosshair to draw the field.
To add a specific control or field, click the arrow next to the Field/Control tool Field/Control tool (Windows) or click and hold the Field/Control tool Field/Control tool (OS X) and select the type of field or control to add to the layout. Drag the crosshair to draw the field.
Note  The Field/Control tool displays the image of the tool that is currently selected.
3. In the Specify Field dialog box, select the field to place.
To choose a field in another table, choose the table from the tables list above the list of fields. Or click Manage Database button to create a relationship or a table, then select a related field from the list of fields.
4. Select Create label to include the field name as text on the layout.
See Adding and changing field labels.
5. Click OK.
You see the field name in the field on the layout unless you have chosen to display sample data (View menu > Show > Sample Data). Fields from related tables appear as ::Field Name (preceded by two colons).
All fields except container fields display text baselines to indicate where the data appears in Browse mode and to help you align fields with each other.
Note  You can also place fields on a layout using the Field Picker dialog box. See Defining database fields.
To replace a field with another one:
1. In Layout mode, double-click the field.
2. Select another field name in the Specify Field dialog box.
3. Click OK.
To remove a field from a layout:
Removing a field from a layout only removes it from the layout; it does not delete the field or its data from your database.
1. In Layout mode, click the field to select it.
2. Press Backspace or Delete, or choose Edit menu > Clear.
Notes
When you add a field to a layout, its format is based on the theme applied to the layout. You can apply a custom style to change the display attributes of the field. See Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background.
To help determine an appropriate size for a field, you can display sample data in the field from the current record instead of the field name. Choose View menu > Show > Sample Data.
To have FileMaker Pro insert field data into a line or block of text, use merge fields. See Placing merge fields on a layout.
To put a static image (like a logo or graphic embellishment) on a layout so that it appears in every record, create, paste, or import the graphic directly onto the layout instead of using a container field, and then place the graphic in the body part. See Drawing and inserting objects on a layout.
You can have new fields that you define automatically placed on the current layout by specifying a preference on the Layout tab of the Preferences dialog box. See Setting layout preferences.
If you can't read a field name within the field's borders in Layout mode, double-click the field — its name is selected in the Specify Field dialog box.
You can place fields in the gray area to the right of the layout. This lets you store fields on the layout or use them in script steps but prevents them from appearing in Browse, Find, and Preview modes. Users cannot select or work with such fields, and the fields do not print.
Related topics 
Defining database fields
Copying, duplicating, and deleting objects
Defining value lists
Setting up a field to auto-complete during data entry
Setting up a field to display a drop-down calendar
Setting up a field to display a pop-up menu, checkbox set, or other control