Web Database Job Aid

Here's how to create a simple database and "publish" it on the web.

  1. Open FileMaker Pro version 4 (earlier versions won't work--if it's not on your computer, you may download FileMaker Pro 4 trial version that will work handily for this assignment). It's available for both Windows and Macintosh.

  2. On the splash screen, choose "Creat a new empty file..." and click on "OK."



  3. Give the new file a name and save it in some place where you'll know where to find it later.



  4. The "Define Fields" dialog box will appear automatically. Type "Last Name" in the "Field Name" field and click the "Create" button.



  5. Repeat the previous step to create fields for "First Name," "Email Address," and "Favorite Ice Cream Flavor" or whatever else you would like to know about your learners. When you're finished, your "Define Fields" dialog box should look something like this:



  6. Click on "Done" to close the "Define Fields" dialog box. Your FileMaker database should look something like this:



  7. Pull down the "Edit" menu and select "Preferences/Application..." Select "Plug-Ins" from the pull-down menu in the "Applications Preferences" dialog box and check the "Web Companion" check box. Click on "Done" to close the dialog.



  8. Pull down the "File" menu and select "Sharing..." Check "Web Companion" in the "File Sharing" dialog box and click on the "OK" button.



  9. That's all there is to it. Now you're ready to test your database and let others access it.

    Leave FileMaker Pro 4 running with your database open on any computer connected to the Internet.

    Open your web browser on the same or another Internet-connected computer and type the IP address of the computer on which your database is running. A splash screen like this one will appear in your web browser. Click on the name of your database.



  10. The "Table View" of your database will appear. Click on "New record..."



  11. Type some data into the form and click on "Save Record."



  12. Now check your FileMaker Pro database to see that the data got through.

    There is much, much more that you can do with this system. You can customize all the web pages involved so that they fit into the "look" of your online course. You can customize both the database and the web pages to provide different levels of access for different users. You can make web pages that permit only creating new records, others that allow users to browse or search all records, and yet others that allow users to edit records.

    See the manuals and online help for both FileMaker Pro 4 and Claris Home Page 3.0 for more details on how to customize your web databases.

Page author: Bob Hoffman
Last updated: 1/19/98