I dumped some data from another address program, and had no trouble importing the comma delimited text file into my empty database. I created a simple address database using a template (Figure 1) but as with most templates, the layout didn't really suit the data I wanted to store. It takes you through using a template to start a new database, setting up a relationship between two files and the use of the 'Portal windows' (sub form) to display records from the linked database on the form of the main database, merging information, creating labels and formatting a merge letter. The trial software comes with a four page documentation file which gives a small tutorial on existing sample files.

The question was: how to make this database do the things I wanted? The fact that I was able to make up test files and use most of the features shows that it is user-friendly and not difficult to learn and use. I found the lack of the help file to be a disadvantage, because I am used to databases and I knew what I wanted to do. But it gives a fully working version of a relational database that allows for complete testing of its features. Limitations with the trial version are: the ability to have up to 50 records only in a file, lack of tutorial files spelling checker and help, unable to import graphics, and no network access. The trial version takes about 2.3Mb of disk space the full version takes up extra space for the omitted features. I am using Windows 95 and an entry in the 'Add/Remove Programs' section of the Control Panel had been made to select easy removal of the application. Installation was no problem, with choice of drive and directory name.

Having been sung the praises of FileMaker Pro by the Macintosh users at work, I decided to test out the trial version for Windows that arrived on the APC CD-ROM for October 1996. Sixteen Bits - November 96 - FileMaker Pro 3

Claris filemaker pro 3.0