Consolidating Tables in FileMaker 8

MIT FileMaker Users Group

3 November 2006

Kevin Cunningham

Why Consolidate? Efficiencies (scripts, etc.) Allow for consolidated data design

(similar tables -> single) Security (single location) Work within Server limits Easier to distribute/maintain

Why Not Consolidate? Risk of breaking interface Takes a good deal of time

(e.g., 16-32 hours for 12 files) Extremely tedious manual work Really need to? (future plans)

Preparing to Consolidate 1 Get FileMaker 8 Pro Advanced Create initial backup Normalize naming:

UNIQUE names for all elements Put TABLE identity in names

Eliminate unused elements: Esp. layouts, but also fields, scripts, etc.

Streamline where possible: Use new FM functions (GetNthRecord) Use modern logic (Case, Else If)

Preparing to Consolidate 2 Gather Data on State of Databases

Run DDR on all files Print PDFs of Relationship Graphs Get Design data in useful format

Standardize an account/password set Reduce hassle of opening files multiple times

Make backup copy of revised set May want to obtain QuicKeys on Mac to

automate steps

Preparing to Consolidate 3 Set order of elements to import

decide up front order of layouts, scripts, value lists, tables, etc.

Decide relationship approach E.g., use anchor-buoy

Select File to Use as Core Use file with most layouts and/or relationships (minimize

handwork) — see the DDR for guidance Prepare Working Directories

Consolidation Steps 1 Create Value Lists in core file

Manual (QuicKeys can automate some) Can supply custom values now Can’t create field-based values yet

Create Tables/Fields in core file FM import, cut/paste Issue: core context of newly created tables Issue: if custom functions used, do them first? Option 1: create table names manually, then copy/paste

entire field sets Option 2: import whole tables

Consolidation Steps 2 Create Table Occurrences/Relationships

Manual (no automation) Create new TOs Link TOs to form relationships

Optional: Import Data Now FM import Can do now or later (useful if value lists are based on fields) Can consider imported data as temporary (if users still using

dbs) or permanent (if offline)

Consolidation Steps 3 Repair Field Definitions

Manual (no automation) Fix defs based on relationships (lookups, calcs) Make sure validation by value lists works

Repair Value Lists Manual (no automation) Fix value lists based on field data, related data (Could hold off until VL consolidation phase)

Consolidation Steps 4 Create Layouts with Appropriate Names

Manual (QuicKeys can automate some) Need to create layouts by name Don’t need to set layout parts/contents May want to create standard dummy layout and duplicate/rename,

etc., via automation (see later layout steps)

Import Scripts FM Import Requires fields/layouts name already in place Repair scripts that use literal strings Address scripts for new contexts (can’t assume layout is in “current

file”, consider windows) Address “On open” and “On close” scripts

Consolidation Steps 5 Create Layout Parts

Manual (QuicKeys can automate some) Create proper parts for each layout Suggestion: use vertical view of part names Define part characteristics (e.g., size, bgcolor) Define layout characteristics (columns, view)

Import Layout Elements Manual (QuicKeys can automate some) Prepare original layouts (e.g., upper-left icon) Copy/paste elements for each layout Clean up pasted layouts (remove icon)

Consolidation Steps 6 Streamline Scripts

Manual (no automation) Use parameters, etc. Consolidate same functions into single script

Streamline Layout Interface Elements Manual (no automation) Parameterize buttons to use revised scripts Find efficiencies across multiple layouts (e.g., graphics elements – do you

have a SETTINGS table?) Consider revised navigation schemes Consider standardization of look-and-feel

Consolidation Steps 7 Streamline Value Lists

Manual (no automation) Plan list consolidation Repoint lists on layouts, field defs, etc. Consolidate same lists into single list Eliminate lists from “Other File” (use native value list)

Other cleanup Manual (no automation) Repoint file references to current file Consider how to address context in field defs

Consolidation Steps 8 Implement Security/Access Scheme

Manual (no automation) Plan account/privset consolidation Especially consider how to restrict access if previous scheme used

“different file” as access control More important to limit database architecture changes (e.g., have

admin password for changes)

Other cleanup Manual (no automation) Custom function fixes?

Moral Main Points

Sequence is important (what you do earlier plays out later) Some steps are more able to be automated than others

(some are just manual, it can’t be helped) No matter how you do it, there is drudgery involved!

Thank You