FileMaker Pro 12: The Missing Manual 1st Edition

I recommend this wonderful book. I have quite a bit of experience using Filemaker, an application for which I have great admiration. Filemaker is about the easiest relational database available. It doesn't take much effort to create something really useful, but Filemaker is also a very deep and polished application. You can explore deeper and deeper into this cave if you choose and you will be rewarded at every step for having done so. But you need a guide beyond the Help system built into the app. My first preference for a guide into Filemaker software is the excellent world of video courses available by subscription on Lynda.com and VTC.com (VTC primarily for John Mark Osborne's wonderful Filemaker video series). But sometimes a book can take you places even the videos do not. And that is the case with this great book by Susan Prosser and Stuart Gripman. For example, I have never felt the need to learn how to do Custom Menus or even Security and Privilege sets, but now that I am going to put some of my Filemaker databases on our company's server, I thought it time to do so. This book has taught me exactly how to do these two things - and now I can do something I could not do last week. Learning is always hard work and it is important that your teacher lead you in baby steps that are perfectly connected and result in success. I love the examples in this book and the fact that you can download the software sample databases in the examples for free (the "missing CD" -get it?) from the publisher's website and follow along with the instruction. The writing is clear and precise. I find I am not running into typos or missing steps. Someone has really reviewed the instructions before this book was released to make sure the instructions were complete. Just for your information, I go back with Filemaker to version 3.0. I have even attended two annual Filemaker Developer Conferences in Phoenix and and Orlando. I am a Filemaker "enthusiast" but I work by myself. I don't know anyone else who even uses Filemaker so I am totally dependent on outside instructions, but I use Filemaker every day. I write stuff for our law firm and Filemaker is an essential core to our practice. Don't be put off by the dumb name of this application "Filemaker" -- I put it up there with Word, Excel, and Photoshop as some of the best software ever written for the computer. This book can help you master Filemaker Pro 12 (even Filemaker Pro 12 Advanced) and belongs on your shelf!

FileMaker is a wonderful Data Base program with great diversity and depth. The book, multi pages long, presents the matter in a logical order; but in many cases it assumes great computer knowledge than the reader has! The whole idea of a manual like this is simplification and step by step directions which are clear and well defined. The missing manual fails in this in many instances...the amount of information available in the manual is mind boggling; but often confuses the fact rather than answering. Good but complicated!Jamesgb

I volunteer for a small nonprofit organization that needed a database. I also needed database software for my own online movie business.While researching various software packages, I downloaded Amazon's sample from FileMakerPro12: the Missing Manual. The book's opening pages persuaded me that FileMakerPro12 (FMP for short) would do the job. I then ordered the software and the book, which I downloaded to my iPhone.Although FMP has been around a long time, I had never used it. While the program is user friendly, it's also complex and somewhat intimidating at first. My approach to mastering any sophisticated technology product is to combine trial-and-error with studying a manual.I had successfully used other books in the O'Reilly "missing manual" series. I therefore expected a lot from this one, and I was not disappointed. The guide covers the subject in a clear, systematic way, mixing in subtle humor that was frosting on the cake.Reading a book with many illustrations and cross references makes iPhone reading a bit more difficult than having a printed book in hand. Still I was able to keep track of where I was, and I found the illustrations helpful.I've now been using the software for about a month, and I believe that FMP12: the Missing Manual greatly sped up my mastery. The software's Help material also comes in handy; the two resources make a solid instructional package.I definitely recommend the Missing Manual to anyone who wants to learn FMP12.

Good explanation of the software. Good examples, but more are needed. Nine Eight Seven Six Five Four Three Two One

I usually like the Missing Manual books. Most of this book is of terrific use for an advanced database creator. The first part of the book starts slow so if you don't have a working knowledge of what a relational database is, then you need to know what's in this book before you spend your money on the FileMaker database. I want to make a simple database for my movies, music, etc. I always want more than what I need as far as what I initially plan and now I know, from this book, that I can go as far as I want to for fun. Yes, I said "fun" because I love databases and this book let me know that I can have the fun that I want.

I needed some written guidance to help me learn FMP 12. This was a good source and really helped. I have not done the tutorials, but they appear well integrated with downloadable sample files.

Easily searched reference and clearly written, succinct guide to the latest major upgrade of FMP. Solid documentation on virtually every topic, liberally illustrated with useful screenshots and examples makes it the best reference on FMP. As with every MM book, additional downloadable content is a major plus.

Although this manual is packed with info it is all but impossible to access the info with the weak index system. Very disapointed in the structure of the digital version. I visited the paperback version and it is much easier to work with.

Fantastica guida ben fatta. Si trovano facilmente i contenuti attraverso un menu ben fatto. L'usato era in buone condizioni

The e-version is missing a word index that make difficult to find specifics items and the world search gives many results !

FileMaker Pro 12 "The Missing Manual" is an absolute MUST HAVE for developers or anyone even "Tweaking" the program.The manual is concise & easy to read with just enough humor to keep some dry reading interesting. I am developing a massive program and this book has not failed to provide answers to the issues that have come up. A link for "the missing CD" is also included in the book that connects you to actual practice files to help even further. A major bargain for such a valueable book!

If you are looking for a great Filemaker resource -this is it as far as I am concerned.I only downloaded this book yesterday and in 1/2 hour I have learned or been reminded of some amazing time saving tips. Having as a kindle version is also brilliant as it means I always have it with me (even if only on iphone) also am able to annotate it so I can find the bits that were important to me without having to make notes on scraps of paper.This book is really well written and I would imagine it being of benefit to new users as well as Power users that are referred to with extra more tehcnical tips in each chapter.I have been developing with Filemaker "in house" for 8+ years and this is the best resource I have come accross.The Filemaker Traiing Series is very good but I am actually finding this more "real world" and better.

Nice Item