FileMaker Pro 13: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals) 1st Edition

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!

This book is very good. However, some of the explanations are too long winded and the sentences too complex. A simplified use of language would greatly enhance such a comprehensive and detailed manual. A review using the concept of the 'fog index' would greatly improve this book. The graphics can also be improved using pointers to areas addressed. There is also room to use more screen shots.Overall, I think it is a great resource for new and developing users of Filemaker.

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.

The Missing Manual people did it again. I stumbled around Filemaker for a few days before I got serious and took my question and problems to the book. The answers are all there. Throughly detailed with all sorts of useful tips and short cuts.I have several of these books for Apple OS and now Filemaker.

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.

Since FileMaker don't bother to include a decent manual with their software anymore it is good that Susan Prosser and Stuart Gripman has stepped in to fill the void. This is the second "Missing Manual" by them that I have purchased and have found each to be very helpful.