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.

1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want to work on from the Layout pop-up menu.

•To add a field, drag a field from the 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

(Windows) or click and hold the Field/Control tool

(macOS) 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

(Windows) or click and hold the Field/Control tool

(macOS) 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

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, then click OK.

You see the field name in the field unless you have chosen to display sample data (View menu > Show > Sample Data). Fields from related tables appear as ::Field Name.

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.

•In Layout mode, double-click the field, then select another field name in the Specify Field dialog box.

•In Layout mode, click the field, then press Backspace or Delete.

Removing a field this way does not delete the field or its data from the database. See Defining and changing fields.

•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, 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, then place the graphic in the body part. See Drawing and inserting objects on a layout.

•To have new fields that you define automatically placed on the current layout, 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.