For Windows, Mac, Palm OS, and Pocket PC

FileMMobile
aker8 ®

Companion for Palm OS

and Pocket PC

User’s Guide

© 2000 - 2006 FileMaker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

FileMaker, Inc.
5201 Patrick Henry Drive
Santa Clara, California 95054
FileMaker is a trademark of FileMaker, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries, and
ScriptMaker and the file folder logo are trademarks of FileMaker, Inc.
FileMaker documentation is copyrighted. You are not authorized to make additional
copies or distribute this documentation without written permission from FileMaker. You
may use this documentation solely with a valid licensed copy of FileMaker software.
All persons and companies listed in the examples are purely fictitious and any
resemblance to existing persons and companies is purely coincidental.
Credits are listed in the Acknowledgements document provided with this software.
For more information, visit our website at www.filemaker.com.
Edition: 01
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 Contents
Chapter 1
Overview of FileMaker Mobile
Registration and customer support 1-1
New features 1-1
Overview of FileMaker Mobile software 1-2
System requirements 1-3
Desktop Requirements* 1-3
Handheld Requirements* 1-3
Supported languages 1-4

Chapter 2
Installing FileMaker Mobile
Installing the FileMaker Mobile application on your desktop computer 2-1
Installing the FileMaker Mobile application on a Palm handheld 2-1
Installing the FileMaker Mobile application on a Pocket PC handheld 2-3

Chapter 3
Setting up FileMaker Mobile
Adding FileMaker Pro databases to share with the handheld 3-1
Add Starter Solution 3-2
Add local database 3-2
Add hosted database 3-3
Making FileMaker Pro databases available for synchronization 3-3
Setting up FileMaker Pro databases to work with FileMaker Mobile 3-4
Configuring mobile settings for hosted databases 3-8

Chapter 4
Using FileMaker Mobile for Palm OS
Loading a FileMaker Pro database onto your handheld 4-1
Opening a database on the handheld 4-1
Viewing records 4-1
Adding records 4-3
Finding records 4-3
Sorting records 4-3
Deleting a record 4-3
Deleting all records in a found set 4-4
Deleting a database from your handheld 4-4
Setting database options 4-4
Synchronizing information between your handheld and computer 4-5
iv FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

Chapter 5
Using FileMaker Mobile for Pocket PC
Loading a FileMaker Pro database onto your handheld 5-1
Opening a database on the handheld 5-1
Viewing records 5-2
Adding records 5-3
Finding records 5-3
Sorting records 5-4
Deleting a record 5-4
Deleting all records in a found set 5-4
Deleting a database from your handheld 5-4
Setting database options 5-5
Synchronizing information between your handheld and computer 5-5

Chapter 6
Administering FileMaker Mobile solutions
Product information 6-1
Field contents 6-1
Field definitions 6-1
FileMaker Mobile database limits 6-2
FileMaker Mobile field types 6-2
Using a different handheld 6-2
Adding a new handheld device 6-2
Resetting the handheld identification 6-3
Removing FileMaker Mobile 6-3
Removing FileMaker Mobile from your Palm handheld 6-3
Removing FileMaker Mobile components from your Pocket PC handheld 6-4
Removing FileMaker Mobile from your desktop computer 6-4
FileMaker Pro scripts supported in FileMaker Mobile 6-5

Index I-1
 Chapter 1
Overview of FileMaker Mobile
With FileMaker® Mobile and a Palm OS or Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC handheld you can:
1 select information from FileMaker Pro databases to load onto your handheld
1 view, add, modify, and delete records in your databases when you are away from the office
1 synchronize changes made to both your desktop databases and handheld databases

If you’re new to the Palm OS or Pocket PC, you need to know how to use the HotSync or
ActiveSync software to synchronize information on your handheld with information on your
computer. If you have not performed a sync operation with your handheld before, see the
documentation that came with it.

Registration and customer support

Please take the time to complete the registration for your product, or register online at
www.filemaker.com/register/.

For information about technical support and customer service, see:

www.filemaker.com (North American customers)
www.filemaker.com/intl/ (customers outside of North America)

On the web site, you will find the FileMaker, Inc. Service Directory, which details the service
options available to North American customers, as well as links to FileMaker, Inc. international
sites, answers to frequently asked questions, and access to extensive software libraries used
by technical support staff. If you do not have access to the Web, please refer to the FileMaker
support/service sheet included in the software box. North American customers can also call
1-800-965-9090 to learn about the service options available.

New features
FileMaker Mobile 8 presents new features, such as:
1 Compatibility with FileMaker Pro 8, FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced, FileMaker Server 8, FileMaker
Server 8 Advanced
1 Synchronize with hosted FileMaker Pro databases
1 6 pre-designed FileMaker Starter Solutions
1 Support for people with special needs — FileMaker Mobile 8 documentation is provided in
tagged Adobe® Portable Document Format (PDF). Tagged PDF files work with assistive
technology, such as the JAWS for Windows screen reader. For more information about tagged PDF
files, see www.adobe.com.
1-2 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

For late-breaking information about FileMaker Mobile, browse the contents of the CD and view the
Readme file, or visit www.filemaker.com (North American customers) or
www.filemaker.com/intl/ (customers outside of North America).

Overview of FileMaker Mobile software

FileMaker Mobile synchronizes FileMaker Pro databases with many handheld devices. The
following table shows the software components that you need to install in order to run FileMaker
Mobile, and where the software components are installed.

Palm or Pocket PC Handheld Mac or Windows Computer

Installed Software 1 FileMaker Mobile application 1 FileMaker Mobile desktop

1 FileMaker synchronization module
1 Palm Desktop/HotSync or ActiveSync
software

Data Storage 1 Palm or Windows Mobile 1 FileMaker databases (.fp7)

handheld databases

Database Management 1 FileMaker Pro or

Software 1 FileMaker Pro Advanced

The software components perform the following functions:

On handheld
1 FileMaker Mobile handheld application – is installed on the handheld and provides the user
interface for viewing, editing, and managing FileMaker data on your handheld.
On desktop computer
1 FileMaker Mobile desktop application – is used on your desktop computer for adding and
configuring FileMaker database files (.fp7) for use with FileMaker Mobile.
1 FileMaker synchronization module – is installed along with the FileMaker Mobile desktop
software, and provides the synchronization capability between local or hosted FileMaker databases
and your handheld device.
1 Palm Desktop/HotSync or ActiveSync software – is used during installation to upload the
FileMaker Mobile application to your handheld device and is used for synchronization.
1 FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Advanced – is used to create or modify your FileMaker Pro
databases for use with FileMaker Mobile 8.
 Overview of FileMaker Mobile 1-3

On hosted computer
1 (optional) FileMaker Server or FileMaker Server Advanced – can be used to host FileMaker
databases for remote access by the FileMaker Mobile application.
Note You need to synchronize your handheld device with a desktop computer in order to establish
a connection to the remote host. You cannot synchronize the handheld directly to FileMaker Server.

System requirements
Desktop Requirements*
FileMaker Mobile 8 works with:
1 FileMaker Pro 8; FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced; FileMaker Server 8; FileMaker Server 8 Advanced
1 FileMaker Pro 7; FileMaker Developer 7

Windows
1 Pentium III 500 MHz or higher, 256MB of RAM; CD or DVD drive
1 Windows 2000 (Service Pack 4), Windows XP (Service Pack 2)
1 Palm Desktop 4.1.4 software with HotSync Manager installed for Palm OS handhelds
1 ActiveSync 3.8 installed for Pocket PC handhelds

Mac OS X
1 Macintosh computer with G3, G4, or G5 processor; 256MB of RAM; CD or DVD drive
1 Mac OS X 10.3.9, 10.4
1 Palm Desktop 4.2 software with HotSync Manager installed

Handheld Requirements*
Palm OS (Windows and Mac)
1 Palm OS compatible handheld; 2MB of storage
1 Palm OS 4.1 - 5.4
1 HotSync cradle and/or cable

Pocket PC (Windows Only)

1 ARM-based Windows Mobile 2003 (Second Edition included), and 5.0-based Pocket PC-
compatible handheld
1 16MB of RAM
1 ActiveSync cradle

*
Version stated is the minimal requirement. The software will also work with later versions
certified by FileMaker.
1-4 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

Supported languages
FileMaker Mobile is designed to work with the following languages: English, French, German,
Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. The FileMaker Mobile software interacts with the operating systems
as follows:

This component Displays the language used in

FileMaker Mobile application Desktop operating system

FileMaker Mobile Synchronization Module Desktop operating system

FileMaker Mobile handheld application Palm OS or Pocket PC

 Chapter 2
Installing FileMaker Mobile
The following sections explain how to install FileMaker Mobile software on your desktop
computer and handheld device.

You install the FileMaker Mobile application and synchronization module on your computer and
then install the FileMaker Mobile application on your handheld.

Installing the FileMaker Mobile application on your desktop computer

Important If you have FileMaker Mobile 7 installed, perform an ActiveSync or HotSync before
proceeding. This will back up your handheld databases. The FileMaker Mobile 8 installation will
replace your FileMaker Mobile 7 installation on your desktop PC.

To install the FileMaker Mobile application and synchronization module:

1. Exit other open programs and turn off virus protection utilities.
2. If you are installing from a CD, insert it into your CD or DVD drive.
3. Do one of the following:

For this system Do this

Windows Click Install FileMaker Mobile.

Mac OS Double-click FileMaker Mobile 8.

4. Follow the instructions of the installation wizard.

5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
1 When the license agreement displays, review the terms. If you accept the terms, click Accept,
then click Next.
1 When prompted for an installation code, type the code that comes with the product, then
click Next.
6. When the installation is complete, click Finish or Quit.

Installing the FileMaker Mobile application on a Palm handheld

Important If you have FileMaker Mobile 7 installed on your Palm handheld, you must remove it
before installing FileMaker Mobile 8. For more information, see “Removing FileMaker Mobile
from your Palm handheld” on page 6-3.
2-2 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

The following steps install three files:

Filename Description

FileMaker Mobile 8.prc FileMaker Mobile application file

FileMaker Mobile Inf.pdb License key information file

FileMaker 8 Lang [Language].prc FileMaker Mobile application resource file for each of the languages

To install the FileMaker Mobile application on your Palm handheld:

1. In Windows or the Mac OS, launch the Palm Desktop application.
2. Click the Install tool (Windows) or choose Hot Sync menu > Install Handheld Files (Mac OS).
3. Click Add (Windows) or Add To List (Mac OS).
4. Navigate to the folder where the FileMaker Mobile application for the handheld was installed.
5. Select FileMaker Mobile 8.prc, then click Open (Windows) or Add To List (Mac OS).
6. Click Add (Windows) or Add to List (Mac OS).
7. Select the corresponding language file, then click Open (Windows) or Add To List (Mac OS).

For Select

English FileMaker 8 Lang English.prc

French FileMaker 8 Lang French.prc

German FileMaker 8 Lang German.prc

Italian FileMaker 8 Lang Italian.prc

Japanese FileMaker 8 Lang Japanese.prc

Spanish FileMaker 8 Lang Spanish.prc

8. Click Add (Windows) or Add to List (Mac OS)

9. Select FileMaker Mobile Inf.pdb, then click Open (Windows) or Add To List (Mac OS).
10. Perform a HotSync operation to install the application on your handheld.
You can confirm the successful installation of FileMaker Mobile by locating the icon in the list of
available applications on your Palm handheld.
11. Perform a HotSync operation to transfer the user code and the license key to the desktop.
You can check the user identification by starting the desktop FileMaker Mobile 8 application and
clicking User.

Chapter 3 tells you how to transfer your databases to your handheld.

 Installing FileMaker Mobile 2-3

Installing the FileMaker Mobile application on a Pocket PC handheld

Important If you have FileMaker Mobile 7 installed on your Pocket PC handheld, you must remove
it before installing FileMaker Mobile 8. For more information, see “Removing FileMaker Mobile
components from your Pocket PC handheld” on page 6-4.

To install the FileMaker Mobile application on your Pocket PC handheld:

1. Insert your Pocket PC handheld in the cradle.
2. In Windows launch ActiveSync.
3. Choose Tools menu > Add/Remove Programs....
4. Click the FileMaker Mobile 8 application.
5. Click OK.
If a warning states that the program is from an unknown publisher, click Yes to continue the
installation.
6. When prompted, enter the handheld license key.
7. When prompted on the handheld, remove and replace your handheld in the cradle. This enables
ActiveSync to identify the files to download.
8. Click OK in Windows to close the dialog box.
9. In ActiveSync, choose Tools menu > Options....
10. Check the FileMaker Mobile 8 application, then click OK to enable ActiveSync to transfer files
to the handheld.
11. Perform an ActiveSync operation to transfer the user code and the license key to the desktop.
You can confirm the successful installation of FileMaker Mobile by locating the icon in the list of
icons on your Pocket PC handheld.
You can check the user identification by starting the desktop FileMaker Mobile 8 application and
clicking User.

Chapter 3 tells you how to transfer your databases to your handheld.

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 Chapter 3
Setting up FileMaker Mobile
This chapter tells you how to set up FileMaker Pro databases to work with FileMaker Mobile and
how to check which databases are ready to be loaded onto the handheld.

Note FileMaker Mobile 8 works with FileMaker Pro 7 and FileMaker Pro 8 databases. FileMaker
Mobile 8 does not work with earlier versions of FileMaker Pro databases.

Adding FileMaker Pro databases to share with the handheld

To share FileMaker Pro databases with the handheld:
1. Start the FileMaker Mobile 8 application.
2. If no databases are currently shared, the Add Database dialog will appear automatically.
Otherwise, click Add in the main FileMaker Mobile window.

Select to add FileMaker

Starter Solutions

Select to add a FileMaker

Pro database on a local
disk

Select to add a hosted

FileMaker Pro database
3-2 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

You can add databases using one of three methods:

1 Add Starter Solutions – add one or more of the ready-to-use FileMaker Starter Solutions included
with FileMaker Mobile 8.
1 Add local database – add any local database on your desktop computer.
Note For each database selected you will need to specify mobile settings. For more information,
see “Setting up FileMaker Pro databases to work with FileMaker Mobile” on page 3-4.

1 Add hosted database – add any remote, hosted database on your network that is already configured
with mobile settings. For more information, see “Configuring mobile settings for hosted databases”
on page 3-8.

Add Starter Solution

1. In the Add Database dialog box, select Add Starter Solution.
2. Specify one or more of the Starter Solutions that you want to share with the handheld.
3. Click OK.

The Starter Solutions are FileMaker Pro databases that are pre-configured with the mobile settings
that you need. These solutions can be used on your handheld device immediately following your
first synchronization.

If you want to modify any of the default settings, see “Setting up FileMaker Pro databases to work
with FileMaker Mobile” on page 3-4.

In addition, if you would like to view or modify these FileMaker Pro databases, you can open the
files using FileMaker Pro 8 or FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced. These files are in the following
locations:

Platform File

Windows C:<My Documents>\FileMaker\ FileMaker Mobile\Starter Solutions

Mac OS <Documents>/FileMaker/FileMaker Mobile/Starter Solutions

Add local database

1. In the Add Database dialog box, select Add Local Database.
2. When prompted, specify the FileMaker Pro database that you want to share with the handheld.
Note If the database does not contain any mobile settings, you will be prompted to specify the
mobile settings before adding the database. For more information, see “Setting up FileMaker Pro
databases to work with FileMaker Mobile” on page 3-4.

3. Click OK.
Repeat these steps for each FileMaker Pro database you want to share with the handheld.
 Setting up FileMaker Mobile 3-3

Add hosted database

1. In the Add Database dialog box, select Add Hosted Database.
2. Specify the Network File Path for the FileMaker Pro database on the hosting machine (FileMaker
Pro 8 or FileMaker Server 8), or click Browse to locate the hosting machine on the network.
Example of Network File Path: fmnet:/hostIPAddress/filename
Note You will not be able to add the hosted database if the database does not contain any mobile
settings. For more information, see “Configuring mobile settings for hosted databases” on page 3-8.

3. Click OK.
Repeat these steps for each hosted FileMaker Pro database you want to share with the handheld.

Making FileMaker Pro databases available for synchronization

After you have added the FileMaker Pro databases that you want to synchronize with the handheld
device, they will by default be enabled for synchronization. You can temporarily turn off the
synchronization for each database by removing the checkmark next to the database name.
3-4 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

Setting up FileMaker Pro databases to work with FileMaker Mobile

Note To set up databases, your access privileges must include Design Layouts. The database must
not be open or hosted during setup.

To set up a FileMaker Pro database to work with FileMaker Mobile:

1. Start the FileMaker Mobile 8 application. (If no databases are available on the handheld device,
the Add Database dialog will appear.)
2. Select the database to configure mobile settings.
You can also click Configure to locate a database file on your computer to configure mobile settings.
This option is primarily used for configuring hosted database files.

You can choose who has

access to the file

Select the fields to transfer

Specify actions performed

before or after
synchronization

3. Click Settings.
4. In Sharing, specify the handheld access to the file. Click Specify to grant database access by the
user’s privilege set.
Note The options specified under Sharing will enable the fmmobile extended privilege set in the
database. You can also modify the accounts and privileges directly using FileMaker Pro or
FileMaker Pro Advanced.

5. Click Specify Fields.

 Setting up FileMaker Mobile 3-5

6. In the Available Fields list, select the field you want to transfer to the handheld and click Add.
Repeat this step for each field you want to transfer.
You can transfer up to 50 fields and their data. Only Text, Number, Date, and Time field types can
be transferred and only these will appear in the Available Fields list.

Select the fields to

transfer to the
handheld
Click to specify
how fields
display on the
handheld

To change the order that fields will appear on the handheld, select a field in the Handheld Fields
list and click Move Up or Move Down. Arrange the fields now in the order you want them to appear
on your handheld.
7. (Optional) To specify how fields display on the handheld, click Properties.

Click to show or
hide properties

The available
options depend
on the field type
and selected
properties
3-6 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

When you select a field in the list of handheld fields, you can edit the following properties:

To Click a field in the Handheld Fields list, then

Select a data entry format
Choose one of the following from the Format list. See the examples following
this table.
1 For text or number fields, choose Standard, Popup Menu, Popup List, Single
Checkbox, or Notes.
1 For date fields, choose Date Picker, Popup Menu, or Popup List.
1 For time fields, choose Time Picker, Popup Menu, or Popup List.

Use a list of values for data entry
Allow changes to field data
For Use value list, choose a value list defined in the database. Value lists from
related databases aren’t supported.
For a Single Checkbox, only the first value in the value list displays on the
handheld. Tip Choose a value list that contains a single value.
Select Allow entry into field.

Capitalize the first letter when Select Use auto capitalization.

entering data in an empty field

Display a custom label instead of the Select Use custom label. Type the label text.
field name

Shown below is an example of how these handheld field properties will appear on a Palm OS or
Pocket PC handheld device.

Use popup menus to choose values

defined in the associated value list
Use popup lists to choose values
defined in the associated value list or
enter new information in fields

Standard field

Single Checkbox

Click the Notes icon to view or

change text in a Notes fields

For more information on using FileMaker Mobile 8 on the handheld device, see chapter 4, “Using
FileMaker Mobile for Palm OS” or chapter 5, “Using FileMaker Mobile for Pocket PC”.
8. When you’ve finished specifying the list of fields and the properties for each field, click OK.
9. To specify synchronization options for the desktop and handheld device, click Synchronization.
 Setting up FileMaker Mobile 3-7

10. In Mode, select the record transfer direction. Choose one of the three transfer options:

Choose this option To do this

Bi-directional Transfer modified records to and from the handheld.

Upload to desktop only Transfer modified records from the handheld database to the
desktop database. All records are deleted on the handheld
database.

Download to handheld only Transfer desktop database to the handheld database. All
records on the handheld database that are not in the desktop
database are deleted.

11. In Records, select the set of records you want to transfer to the handheld.

Select the record

transfer direction

Select the set of

records to transfer to
the handheld

Select how to resolve

record differences at
synchronization

Select actions before

and after
synchronization

If you want to load only a subset of records onto your handheld, select Found set at time of
synchronization. In FileMaker Pro, create a FileMaker Pro script which selects an appropriate found
set. Then choose that script as an after synchronization action described in step 13.
3-8 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

12. In Conflict Resolution, choose how you want to resolve record differences at synchronization.
When you modify the same records in both the handheld database and the desktop database,
FileMaker Mobile uses one of the following options to resolve differences at synchronization.

Choose this option To do this

Duplicate record Create and place handheld records in the desktop database.
See the FileMaker Pro User’s Guide for information about finding duplicate
records.

Handheld overwrites desktop The handheld record replaces the desktop record.

Desktop overwrites handheld The desktop record replaces the handheld record.

13. Click Specify Actions, to choose what actions are performed on the database before and after
synchronization.

Select FileMaker Pro

script to run before
synchronization

Select FileMaker Pro

script to run after
synchronization

You can optionally choose to run a FileMaker Pro script before and after synchronization. Check
the Perform Script checkbox and select the script from the menu.
For more information on supported scripts, refer to “FileMaker Pro scripts supported in FileMaker
Mobile” on page 6-5.
14. Click OK, then OK again.

Repeat the steps in this section for each database for which you want to set up mobile settings.

Configuring mobile settings for hosted databases

To allow FileMaker Mobile 8 to access hosted databases on FileMaker Pro 8, FileMaker Pro 8
Advanced, FileMaker Server 8, or FileMaker Server 8 Advanced, you must configure mobile
settings for each hosted database file using the FileMaker Mobile 8 desktop software. The mobile
settings are stored in the .fp7 database file, therefore the mobile settings only need to be defined
once before uploading the file to the server for hosting.

Note For convenience, you may want to install a separate copy of FileMaker Mobile 8 on the host
machine to use for configuring any database files.
 Setting up FileMaker Mobile 3-9

Important Be sure to close the hosted database on FileMaker Server 8 or FileMaker Pro 8 before
configuring the mobile settings. In addition, your access privileges must include the Design Layouts
privilege.

To configure mobile settings for a hosted database:

1. Start the FileMaker Mobile 8 application.
2. From the main FileMaker Mobile 8 window, click Configure.
3. When prompted, go to the FileMaker Pro database that you want to configure mobile settings for.
4. Define mobile settings for the database.
1 For Mobile Sharing, specify the handheld access to the file by allowing all users access, or by
allowing access by the correct extended privilege.
1 For Mobile Fields, specify the fields you want to transfer to the handheld.
For more information, see “Setting up FileMaker Pro databases to work with FileMaker Mobile”
on page 3-4.
5. After hosting the file, use the Add hosted database command in FileMaker Mobile 8 to locate the
hosted file on the network.
For more information on adding databases, see “Adding FileMaker Pro databases to share with the
handheld” on page 3-1.
6. After the Network File Path is established in your local copy of FileMaker Mobile 8, you will be able
to synchronize your handheld device successfully with the remotely hosted database file.
For more information on hosting database files with FileMaker Pro 8 or FileMaker Server 8, see
the FileMaker Pro User’s Guide and the FileMaker Server Administrator’s Guide.
This page intentionally left blank.
 Chapter 4
Using FileMaker Mobile for Palm OS
This chapter explains how to work with data in databases on your Palm OS handheld.

Loading a FileMaker Pro database onto your handheld

Perform a HotSync operation to load one or more databases onto your handheld:
Be sure all the databases are shared with FileMaker Mobile. See “Setting up FileMaker Pro
databases to work with FileMaker Mobile” on page 3-4.
Warning Do not interact with FileMaker Pro during the HotSync operation.

Opening a database on the handheld

To open a database on the handheld:
1. In the handheld’s Applications Launcher, tap the FileMaker 8 icon.
2. Tap a database in the list.

Viewing records
You can look at records one by one or in a list.

Tap anywhere in a
line to switch to
form view

List View Form View

4-2 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

To Tap

View the list of databases

View records in a list

View one record at a time

In list view, scroll column to column

In list view, scroll list up and down

In form view, scroll record to record

In form view, scroll field to field

You can navigate by pressing the scroll buttons on the front panel of your handheld. You can also
use the Jog Dial navigator on Sony handhelds to scroll through databases and records.

To go directly to a record, choose Record menu > Go to Record, then enter the record number and
tap OK.

You can change the way fields display.

To In this view Do this with the stylus

Resize a field List Tap and hold the line between the field labels.

Change the field order List Tap and hold a field label, then drag it to a new location.

Allow or prevent resizing or List Choose Options menu > List View Options, then select the
reordering columns, or sorting desired options. Tap OK.
by column label

Change the text width, List Tap the field, choose Options menu > Field Options, then select
alignment, or color in a field the desired options. Tap OK.
Color options are only available on handhelds that support
text colors.

Change the alignment of field Form Choose Options menu > Form View Options, then choose from
labels the Field Labels pick list. Tap OK.

Allow changes to records List Choose Options menu > List View Options, then select
Edit in list view. Tap OK.
Prevent changes to records Form Choose Options menu > Form View Options, then clear
(read-only display) Edit in form view. Tap OK.
 Using FileMaker Mobile for Palm OS 4-3

Adding records
To add a record, tap New. Tap a field to select it and start entering information. Use the stylus to
write Graffiti characters in the writing area or use the onscreen keyboard. The new record is added
after the last record.

In form view, you can insert a phone number from your Palm OS Address list into a field formatted
as Standard, Popup List, or Notes. Display the record, tap the field that contains the name you want
to look up, then choose Options menu > Phone Lookup.

Finding records
To find records:
1. Tap Find.
2. For Field, select the field you want to search in.
3. Enter the word or first few characters of the item you want to find and tap OK.

Sorting records
To sort records:
1. Choose Record menu > Sort Records.
2. For Field, select the field you want to sort by.
3. Select Ascending Order or Descending Order and tap OK.
You can also sort records in list view by tapping a column heading. The underlined column heading
indicates that the records are currently sorted by that field. To enable or disable this feature, see
“Viewing records” on page 4-1.

Deleting a record
To delete a record from a database on the handheld:
1. Select the record.
2. Choose Record menu > Delete Record.
To also delete the corresponding record in the desktop database the next time you do a HotSync,
select Delete original on PC.
3. Tap OK to confirm the action.
4-4 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

Deleting all records in a found set

To delete all of the records in the current found set:
1. Choose Record menu > Delete All Records.
To also delete all of the corresponding records in the desktop database the next time you do a
HotSync, select Delete originals on PC.
2. Tap OK to confirm the action.

Deleting a database from your handheld

To delete a database from your handheld:
1. Tap to display the list of databases.
2. Choose Database menu > Delete Database.
3. Select a database and tap Delete, then tap Yes to confirm the action.
4. Tap Done.

Setting database options

To set database options:
1. Choose Options menu > Database Options.
2. Set the following options.

To Select

Allow the active FileMaker Mobile database to be searched when you use the Palm Include in Global Find
OS Global Find command

Create a backup of the FileMaker Mobile .pdb file during a HotSync operation. The Backup at HotSync
file is located in the backup directory of the Palm user directory, for example:
C:\Palm\username\Backup.
Tip A .pdb file is a Palm database file. Select this option if you perform a HotSync
operation on a computer that doesn’t have the FileMaker Mobile conduit installed.
You can also select this option if you use a backup utility to back up to an external
card.

Enable synchronization of the active database. Synchronize database

Change the login account to access database records during synchronization. Login > Specify

3. Tap OK.
 Using FileMaker Mobile for Palm OS 4-5

Synchronizing information between your handheld and computer

Perform a HotSync operation to synchronize information between your handheld and computer:
Be sure all the databases are shared with FileMaker Mobile (see “Setting up FileMaker Pro
databases to work with FileMaker Mobile” on page 2-1).
Warning Do not interact with FileMaker Pro during the HotSync operation.
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 Chapter 5
Using FileMaker Mobile for Pocket PC
This chapter explains how to work with data in databases on your Pocket PC handheld.

Loading a FileMaker Pro database onto your handheld

Perform an ActiveSync operation to load one or more databases onto your handheld:
Be sure all the databases are shared with FileMaker Mobile (see “Setting up FileMaker Pro
databases to work with FileMaker Mobile” on page 3-4).
Warning Do not interact with FileMaker Pro during the ActiveSync operation.

Note All databases downloaded to your Pocket PC are downloaded to the

\My Documents\FileMaker directory.

Opening a database on the handheld

To open a database on the handheld:
1. In the handheld’s Programs folder, tap the FileMaker Mobile 8 icon.
2. Tap a database in the list.
5-2 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

Viewing records
You can look at records one by one or in a list.

Tap anywhere in a
line to switch to
form view

List view Form view

To Tap

View the list of databases

View records in a list

View one record at a time

View first record

View previous record

View next record

View last record

Create new record

Sort records

Find records

Show/hide toolbar

To go directly to a record, choose Records menu > Go to Record, then enter the record number and
tap OK.
 Using FileMaker Mobile for Pocket PC 5-3

You can change the way fields display.

To In this view Do this with the stylus

Resize a field List Tap and hold the line between the field labels.

Change the field order List Tap and hold a field label, then drag it to a new location.

Enable or prevent resizing or List Choose Tools menu > Options menu > List View Options, then
reordering columns, or sorting select the desired options. Tap OK.
by column label

Change the column width, List Tap the field, choose Tools menu > Options menu > Field, then
alignment, or color in a field select the options. Tap OK.

Use large fonts List Tap the field, choose Tools menu > Options menu > List View,
then select the option. Tap OK.
Allow/prevent changes to List Choose Tools menu > Options menu > List View Options, then
records select/clear Edit in list view. Tap OK.

Allow/prevent changes to Form Choose Options menu > Form View Options, then select/clear
records Edit in form view. Tap OK.

Change the alignment of field Form Choose Tools menu > Options menu > Form View Options, then
labels choose from the Field Labels pick list. Tap OK.

Use large fonts Form Choose Tools menu > Options menu > Form View Options, then
select Use large fonts. Tap OK.

Adding records
To add a new record, choose Records menu > New Record. Tap a field to select it and start entering
information. Use the stylus to write characters in the writing area or use the onscreen keyboard. The
new record is added after the last record.

To copy an existing record, choose Records menu > Duplicate Record. Tap a field to select it and
change the existing information. Use the stylus to write characters in the writing area or use the
onscreen keyboard. The new record is added after the last record.

Finding records
To find records:
1. Choose Records menu > Find Records....
2. For Field, select the field you want to search in.
3. Enter the word or first few characters of the item you want to find and tap Find.
5-4 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

Sorting records
To sort records:
1. Choose Record menu > Sort Records....
2. For Field, select the field you want to sort by.
3. Select Ascending or Descending and tap Sort.
You can also sort records in list view by tapping a column heading. An arrow next to a column
heading indicates that the records are currently sorted by that field. To enable or disable this feature,
see “Viewing records” on page 5-2.

Deleting a record
To delete a record from a database on the handheld:
1. Select the record.
2. Choose Records menu > Delete Record....
To also delete the corresponding record in the desktop database the next time you do an
ActiveSync, select Delete original(s) on Desktop.
3. Tap Delete to confirm the action.

Deleting all records in a found set

To delete all of the records in the current found set:
1. Choose Records menu > Delete All Records....
To also delete all of the corresponding records in the desktop database the next time you do a
ActiveSync, select Delete original(s) on Desktop.
2. Tap Delete to confirm the action.

Deleting a database from your handheld

To delete a database from your handheld:
1. Tap to display the list of databases.
2. Tap-and-hold on the database to delete.
3. Tap Delete.
4. Tap Yes to confirm.
 Using FileMaker Mobile for Pocket PC 5-5

Setting database options

To change database options:
1. Choose Tools menu > Options menu > Synchronization.
2. Set the following options.

To Select

Enable synchronization of the active database. Check Synchronize database

Change the login account to access database records during synchronization. Choose one of the login
account options.

3. Tap OK.

Synchronizing information between your handheld and computer

Perform an ActiveSync operation to synchronize information between your handheld and
computer:
Be sure all the databases are shared with FileMaker Mobile. See “Setting up FileMaker Pro
databases to work with FileMaker Mobile” on page 3-4.
Warning Do not interact with FileMaker Pro during the ActiveSync operation.

Note Only databases stored in the \My Documents\FileMaker directory on your Pocket PC
handheld will be synchronized.
This page intentionally left blank.
 Chapter 6
Administering FileMaker Mobile solutions
Product information
For up-to-date product information, see:
1 www.filemaker.com (North American customers)
1 www.filemaker.com/intl/ (customers outside of North America)

Field contents
If a database on your handheld doesn’t appear to contain any fields, be sure you specify fields on
your desktop before loading the database to your handheld. See “Setting up FileMaker Pro
databases to work with FileMaker Mobile” on page 3-4.

A field’s display is limited to the size of a Palm OS handheld’s screen. To view a field’s entire
contents, tap the last line in the field and drag the stylus downwards. The text that was hidden (up
to the limit of approximately 2000 characters) scrolls into view. You can also resize a field in list
view. (See “Viewing records” on page 4-1.)

If you can’t enter or change data on your handheld, the field or records may be set to display as
read-only:
1 Be sure Allow entry into field is selected in the Specify Fields dialog box before you load the
database to your handheld. See “Setting up FileMaker Pro databases to work with FileMaker
Mobile” on page 3-4.
1 Be sure Edit in list view and Edit in form view are selected on your handheld. See “Viewing
records” on page 4-1.

Field definitions
If you change a Text field to a Number, Date, or Time field on your desktop, any data after the first
255 characters will be deleted. If you then also make changes to the data in the corresponding field
on the handheld, FileMaker Mobile writes the modified records to a comma-separated values file,
which is stored in the FileMaker Mobile folder inside the handheld user directory. For example:

Platform File

Windows C:<My Documents>\FileMaker\ FileMaker Mobile\Palm\Users\

<PalmUserName>\Asset Management.csv
C:<My Documents>FileMaker\FileMaker Mobile\CE\Users\
<device_name>\Asset Management.csv

Mac OS <Documents>/FileMaker/FileMaker Mobile/Palm/Users/

<PalmUserName>/Asset Management.csv
6-2 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

Next, use the Import Records command in FileMaker Pro to import the data into your desktop
database. After you have imported the records, delete the comma-separated values file. See the
FileMaker Pro User’s Guide for more information.

FileMaker Mobile database limits

Item Maximum size

Field size Up to 2KB of information (approximately 2000 characters). Number, date, and
time fields can contain up to 255 characters.
If a record contains one or more fields with more than 2KB of information, the
record is not loaded onto the handheld.

Number of fields per handheld 50

database
Number of records per handheld 5000. Note This limit can be exceeded, but has not been tested and is not
database recommended.

Number of FileMaker Pro 50

databases per handheld

Note Size limits depend on the number of fields and amount of memory available on the handheld.

FileMaker Mobile field types

FileMaker Mobile supports text, number, date, and time field types.

FileMaker Mobile only supports sorting whole numbers. You may experience an incorrect sort
order if you sort numbers with decimal values.

Using a different handheld

You can install FileMaker Mobile 8 on one or more handheld devices. Each handheld using
FileMaker Mobile 8 is identified by the user identification that includes a user code and an unique
license key on the handheld. If you add a new handheld device, you create a new user identification
for that device. If you replace a handheld device, you can reset the user identification for the old
handheld and transfer the license key to the new handheld device.

Adding a new handheld device

To add a new handheld user identification to FileMaker Mobile 8:
1. Install the FileMaker Mobile 8 application on the new handheld.
See “Installing FileMaker Mobile” on page 2-1 for more information.
2. Start the handheld FileMaker Mobile 8 application and enter the handheld license key.
 Administering FileMaker Mobile solutions 6-3

3. Perform a HotSync or ActiveSync operation to transfer the user code and the license key.
You can check the user identification by starting the desktop FileMaker Mobile 8 application and
clicking User.
4. In the desktop FileMaker Mobile 8 application, select the databases for transfer to the handheld.
See “Setting up FileMaker Mobile” on page 3-1 for more information.
5. Perform a HotSync or ActiveSync operation to transfer the databases to the new handheld.

Resetting the handheld identification

To reset FileMaker Mobile 8 to remove a handheld device or transfer the license key to a different
handheld:
1. Backup your databases by performing a HotSync or ActiveSync operation with your old
handheld.
2. Start the desktop FileMaker Mobile 8 application and click User.
3. In the User Identification dialog box, select the handheld user code to reset.
Note the license key for the selected handheld if it will be transferred to a new handheld.
4. Click Reset User and confirm the reset.
5. Click Done.

Removing FileMaker Mobile

You can use the following steps to remove either FileMaker Mobile 7 or FileMaker Mobile 8 from
your desktop computer and handheld device.

Removing FileMaker Mobile from your Palm handheld

Important This procedure deletes FileMaker Mobile databases from your handheld. Before
continuing, be sure to perform a HotSync operation to back up your FileMaker Mobile databases.

1. In the handheld’s Applications Launcher, choose App > Delete.

2. Tap FileMaker [7 or 8], then tap Delete.
3. Tap Yes, then tap Done.
6-4 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

Removing FileMaker Mobile components from your Pocket PC handheld

Important Be sure to perform an ActiveSync operation to back up your FileMaker Mobile databases
prior to removing the FileMaker Mobile software.

Removing FileMaker Mobile directly from the Pocket PC

To remove the FileMaker Mobile application from your Pocket PC handheld directly from the
handheld:
1. On the handheld, choose Start menu > Settings.
2. Click the Systems tab.
3. Click the Remove Programs.
4. Click the FileMaker Mobile application and click Remove.
5. When prompted, restart your handheld, then repeat steps 1 through 4 to remove additional files
that could not be deleted when the FileMaker Mobile system files were still in memory.
If a message states that the FileMaker Mobile application was not completely removed, click No to
cancel the dialog box.

Removing FileMaker Mobile from the Pocket PC using ActiveSync on your Windows desktop
To remove the FileMaker Mobile application from your Pocket PC handheld using ActiveSync on
your Windows desktop:
1. On the Windows desktop, launch ActiveSync.
2. Choose Tools menu > Add/Remove Programs....
3. Uncheck the FileMaker Mobile application and click OK.
4. When prompted on the handheld, restart your handheld, then repeat steps 1 through 3 to remove
additional files that could not be deleted when the FileMaker Mobile system files were still in
memory.
If a message states that the FileMaker Mobile application was not completely removed, click No to
cancel the dialog box.

Note This procedure removes the FileMaker Mobile application from your Pocket PC handheld,
but not from the desktop PC. You can reinstall the FileMaker Mobile application to your handheld
from your PC at a later date.

Removing FileMaker Mobile from your desktop computer

Removing FileMaker Mobile from your computer (Windows)
1. Close the FileMaker Mobile application if it is open.
2. Click the Start button > Settings > Control Panel.
3. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
4. Select FileMaker Mobile from the list of applications.
 Administering FileMaker Mobile solutions 6-5

5. Click Remove or Add/Remove.

6. Click Yes to confirm that you want to remove FileMaker Mobile.
7. Click Close or OK.

Removing FileMaker Mobile from your computer (Mac OS)

1. Close the FileMaker Mobile application if it is open.
2. Double-click FileMaker Mobile installer.
3. Select Uninstall.
4. Click Uninstall.
5. Click OK.

FileMaker Pro scripts supported in FileMaker Mobile

FileMaker Mobile supports the following FileMaker Pro script steps during synchronization.

Category Steps Supported Comments

Control Perform Script

Exit Script
If
Else If
Else
End If
Loop
Exit Loop If
End Loop
Set Variable

Navigation Go to Layout *Pause option not supported.

Go to Record/Request/Page
Go to Releated Record
Go to Portal Row
Go to Field
Go to Next Field
Go to Previous Field
Enter Browse Mode*
Enter Find Mode*

Editing Undo
Cut
Copy
Paste
Clear
Set Selection
Select All
6-6 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide

Category Steps Supported Comments

Fields Set Field *Perform without Dialog option must

Set Next Serial Value be selected.
Insert Text
Insert Calculated Result
Insert from Last Visited
Insert Current Date
Insert Current Time
Insert Current User Name
Replace Field Contents*
Relookup Field Contents*

Records New Record/Request *Perform without Dialog option must

Duplicate Record/Request be selected.
Delete Record/Request*
Delete Portal Row*
Delete All Records*
Open Record/Request
Revert Record/Request*
Commit Records/Requests*
Copy Records/Requests
Copy All Records/Requests

Found Sets Perform Find *Perform without Dialog option must

Constrain Found set be selected.
Extend Found Set
Modify Last Find
Show All Records
Show Omitted Only
Omit Record
Omit Multiple Records*
Sort Records*
Unsort Records

Accounts Add Account *Perform without Dialog option must

Delete Account be selected.
Reset Account Password
Change Password*
Enable Account
Re-Login*

Miscellaneous Comment
 Index

Symbols Fields G
changing
.pdb files 2-2 Global Find option 4-4
definitions 6-1
creating with backup 4-4
types 6-1
.prc files 2-2 H
changing order 4-2, 5-3
data entry options 3-6, 4-2, 5-3 Hosting databases 1-3, 3-2
A display options 3-6, 4-2, 5-3 configuring 3-8
ActiveSync 1-2, 5-5 hidden contents 6-1 HotSync
options for synchronizing 5-5 inserting phone numbers 4-3, 5-3 options for synchronizing 3-7,
Adding records 4-3, 5-3 labels 3-6, 4-2, 5-3 4-4
Application maximum number 6-2 synchronizing data 1-2, 4-5
enabling 3-4 maximum size 6-2
installing 2-1 missing from handheld 6-1 I
preventing changes 3-6, 6-1
properties 3-6 Installing FileMaker Mobile
B resizing 4-2, 5-3
application 2-1
Backup option, creating .pdb file 4-4 application on handheld 2-1, 2-3
specifying for transfer to
handheld 3-5
C FileMaker Server, synchronizing J
hosted files for 1-3 Jog Dial navigator 4-2
Capitalizing data 3-6
Files
Checkboxes 3-6 comma-separated values 6-1
Comma-separated values file 6-1 hosted 1-3, 3-8 L
Customer support 1-1 loading onto Palm handheld 4-1 Labels, fields 3-6, 4-2, 5-3
loading onto Pocket PC Language support 1-4, 2-2
D handheld 5-1 Limits
opening on Palm handheld 4-1 field size 6-2
Data entry options 3-6
opening on Pocket PC number of databases 6-2
Databases handheld 5-1 number of fields 6-2
maximum number 6-2 setting up to work with number of records 6-2
options 4-4, 5-5 FileMaker Mobile 3-4 List view
Date fields 3-6 sharing with handheld 3-2 described 4-1, 5-2
Deleting Finding records options 4-2, 5-3
all records in found set 4-4, 5-4 Global Find option 4-4 Local databases 3-2
database from handheld 4-4, 5-4 on handheld 4-4, 5-3
records 4-3, 5-4 on Palm handheld 4-3
Desktop application, described 1-2 prior to ActiveSync operation 5-1 M
prior to HotSync operation 3-7, Mobile application
F 4-1 described 1-2
Form view enabling 3-4
Field definitions, changing 6-1 described 4-1, 5-2 Mobile application and
Field types, changing 6-1 options 4-2, 5-3 synchronization
Found sets, transferring to installing 2-1
handheld 3-7
I-2 FileMaker Mobile User’s Guide
N Registering FileMaker Mobile 1-1
Notes fields 3-6
O Resetting FileMaker Mobile 6-3
Opening files
on Palm handheld 4-1
on Pocket PC handheld 5-1
Overview, FileMaker Mobile 1-2
P Single checkbox 3-6
Phone lookup 4-3, 5-3
Popup lists 3-6
Popup menus 3-6
Product registration 1-1
Properties for fields 3-6
R technical 1-1
Record view. See Form view
Records
adding 4-3, 5-3
deleting 4-3, 5-4
deleting all in found set 4-4, 5-4
finding on handheld 4-4, 5-3
finding on Palm handheld 4-3
maximum number 6-2
preventing changes 4-2, 5-3, 6-1
resolving differences at
synchronization 3-8
sorting 4-3, 5-4
viewing 4-1, 5-2
T
Remote databases 3-2 Technical specifications 6-2
configuring 3-8
Technical support 1-1
Removing FileMaker Mobile 6-3
Text formats 3-6, 4-2, 5-3
Time fields 3-6
Troubleshooting 6-1
S
Script steps allowed in U
synchronization scripts 6-5
Sharing files 3-2 Using multiple handhelds 6-2
Sony Jog Dial navigator 4-2 V
Sorting records 4-3, 5-4 Value lists 3-6
Standard field format 3-6 Viewing records 4-1, 5-2
Starter Solutions 3-2
Support W
customer 1-1
Web site
for registering software 1-1
Synchronization module, technical support 1-1
described 1-2
Synchronization scripts, steps
allowed 6-5
Synchronization, installing 2-1
Synchronizing data 4-5, 5-5
resolving record differences 3-8
with remote files 1-3, 3-9
System requirements
Windows 1-3