FileMaker Pro 13: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals)

Except for one version I skipped, I’ve owned every edition of FileMaker Pro 13: The Missing Manual. This book and online FileMaker resources, some of which are identified in Appendix A, and patience are all you need to become a master of FileMaker Pro. However, be aware that this book is not intended for total beginners. The authors explain “[t]his book is written for advanced-beginner or intermediate computer users”. Being more precise, anything beyond the absolute basics of FileMaker, which can be mastered, quickly, involves study and trial and error learning. Once you’ve learned the basics, then this book will help you learn almost every aspect of FileMaker Pro 13. If you’ve taken the time to learn the basics, this well-written manual will guide you through getting the most from FileMaker Pro. I consider it an indispensable reference.Jerry

FileMaker Pro 13 is a very complex program and not for the faint of heart. It is not intuitive and it takes a long time to develop a good database. This manual is essential to understand the program, unless you have a personal trainer for someone else to create databases for you. Even with the manual, I finally gave up and moved to a much easier and less expensive program. If you have Filemaker Pro 13 and want a good reference, this is it. If you want a program to develop less complex but nonetheless useful databases, skip this manual and FileMaker Pro 13, and get something like Tap Forms.

I am changing this review because I had a problem with the download items for the book, and now have a resolution in progress. The downloadable files were not in sync with the book. I contacted the publisher, and they are now conducting a review and will fix it. The author also responded to me. You don't get that very often! The content was always great. Now they're fixing the downloadable part. If you want to learn Filemaker Pro 13, this is the book to either start with, or the absolute beginners book and then this one. Watch for an update for the downloads. It is well written, clear and concise. Just what I want from a book like this. Thanks to the author and publisher for fixing the one problem I had with it!

I'm an experienced developer new to Filemaker. I've so far found it very valuable, and in hindsight which I had purchased this a few months ago as it would have lessened the learning curve. In doing an initial, quick read-through/skim of this book I've found quite a few features I'd not yet discovered as well as better approaches to various items I already implemented. I've not yet downloaded the materials referenced in the book so I can't comment on how good the sample app and code examples are. But, as it stands I would recommend this book.

This is the second edition of the missing manual I have purchased. The first was for FileMaker 11 and this one, FileMaker 13. I find it a handy reference. The only issue I have is that for my requirements the index could be better and it could include more unusual examples with less emphasis on the tutorial.

I have had several versions of missing manuals and although they have a ton of good content, I find the index weak. This makes finding the answer you want harder. This isn't the type of book you read from cover to cover, so a really thorough index would be helpful.

I really get a lot of use out of Susan and Stuart's Missing Manual books. As a 15+ year developer, I use this book as a reference all the time. I love the "Tips" throughout the book and it's very well written. In fact, I bring this book with me when at client sites as my #1 reference. And I tell clients if they are going to get just 1 Filemaker book to use THIS is the book I recommend. Kudos.

Great refresher book for those who need help with FileMaker Pro. The program has changes and improvement yet it is still by far the best database on the market. This book is well written for any user...beginners to advanced and it is a great reference as well.

Well written, practical, accessible and extremely useful. As someone who has built databases, on and off, over the years, but who is relatively new to Filemaker Pro, I guess I'm an intermediate at databases but have lots of gaps as FileMaker Pro 13 user. So I needed some direction to turn educated guesses out how best to build my current database into certainties. 'FileMaker Pro 13: The Missing Manual' is certainly doing that for me, and more.Having read through the book once (quite quickly) I'm now finding I can use it as a reference tool to refer back to things I need to check on. For example this has included finding the best way to present data on a single form from different tables, or how to set it up so the database can be used on an iPad in FileMaker Go.Highly recommended.

This book is brilliant. I had downloaded the information available from the Filemaker website but was really struggling - although I'm ok with a computer and proficient in Word and Excel, this is a whole different ball game! But the Missing Manual is really clear - explains what you need to do and why in easy to follow (but not patronising) language. I haven't completed my amazing database yet, but I'm miles further on than I would have been without this book. An absolutely essential read for anyone who is new to Filemaker.

Very good book, also didactic Ally if you want to learn about relational databases. I enjoy reading it (about halfway through). I plan to use it for research. Most examples in the book focus on business, like how to build a database with relating tables for customers, job, invoices etc. It gives testimony to the well written and informative content that I not only stayed with it but really found it interesting and inspiring. It can really give structure to your work and you learn about how to improve your work flow by using a database. However it also leads organically to more sophisticated concepts and I think will also appeal to people who really need a professional relational database or even want to start working as a developer.

Great item, dispatched quickly

I have tried several approaches to become familiar with Filemaker Pro such as Youtube and training videos. 'The Missing Manual ' is the best.You go at the speed at which you can absorb the information.