Home > Articles

This chapter is from the book

FileMaker Field Types

In the previous chapter, on FileMaker specifications, we called out a number of the raw capacities of FileMaker’s field types, in the briefest possible format. Here we dwell on each data type and its characteristics in a bit more detail.

→For more information on FileMaker fields and field types, see Special Edition Using FileMaker 8, Chapter 3, "Defining and Working with Fields.

Text

FileMaker’s text field type is able to hold up to 2 gigabytes of character data per text field. FileMaker 8 stores text internally as Unicode, which requires about 2 bytes per character (the exact number varies by the specific character and encoding). So a single FileMaker text field can hold about a billion characters of data (nearly half a million regular pages of text).

There’s no need to specify the "size" of the text field in advance; FileMaker will automatically accommodate any text you enter, up to the field size maximum.

FileMaker’s text field can be indexed on a word-by-word basis, so it’s possible to search quickly for one or more words anywhere within a text field.

In other database systems, such as those based on SQL, it is often necessary to specify the maximum size of a text field in advance. Many SQL databases do go beyond the SQL standard in offering a text data type of flexible size.

Number

The number field type is FileMaker’s only numeric data type. Unlike some other tools, FileMaker does not have separate data types for integers and floating point numbers. All numbers are capable of being treated as floating point.

FileMaker 8’s numeric data type can store numbers in the range 10-400 through 10400, and -10400 through -10-400, as well as the value 0. The data type can account for 400 digits of precision. By default, though, numeric values will only account for 16 digits of precision. To achieve higher precision, you’ll need to use the SetPrecision() function.

Numeric fields can accept character data entry, though the character data will be ignored. If the field’s validation is also set to Strict Data Type: Numeric Only, even the entry of character data will be disallowed.

In other database systems, such as those based on SQL, integers and floating point numbers tend to be considered as two different data types, and it’s often necessary to choose in advance between lower-precision and higher-precision floating point numbers, though SQL does also offer arbitrary-precision numbers as well.

Date

FileMaker’s date type can store dates from 1/1/0001 to 12/31/4000. Internally, these dates are stored as integer values between 1 and 1,460,970, indicating the number of days elapsed between 1/1/0001 and the date in question. This is significant in that it means that integer math can be performed on dates: 12/31/2001 + 1 = 1/1/2002, and 12/21/2001 – 365 = 12/21/2000.

FileMaker will correctly interpret oddly formed dates, as long as they’re within its overall date range. For example, 4/31/2005 will be interpreted as 5/1/2005, whereas 12/32/2005 will be interpreted as 1/1/2006. But 12/31/5000 will be rejected outright.

FileMaker’s date type is stricter than the text and number types, and will reject any date outside the range just mentioned, including those containing textual data. Field validation options can also be configured to force entry of a full four-digit year.

Though the date type is stored as an integer, it can be entered and displayed in a wide variety of well-known or local date display formats. By default it will use settings it inherits from the current user’s operating system, but the date display format can be overridden on a field-by-field basis on each individual layout.

By comparison, SQL-based database systems also offer a date data type, measured in days.

Time

Like the date type, FileMaker’s time data type stores its information in an underlying integer representation. In the case of the time field type, what’s being stored is the number of seconds since midnight of the previous day, yielding a range of possible values from 1 to 86,400. As with the date type, it’s possible to perform integer math with time values: So Get(CurrentTime) + 3600 will return a time an hour ahead of the current time. And 15:30:00 – 11:00:00 returns 4:30:00, so "time math" can be used to compute time intervals correctly as well.

Also like the date type, the time data type can accept entry and display of time data in a variety of formats. "Overlapping" times work in the same way as overlapping dates: FileMaker will interpret the value 25:15:00 as representing 1:15 a.m. on the following day. (This is exactly what happens when you store a value greater than 86,400 in a time field, which FileMaker will certainly allow.)

By comparison, SQL-based database systems generally offer a time data type, sometimes with the capability to track a time zone as well.

Timestamp

FileMaker’s timestamp data type is like a combination of the date and time types. A timestamp will be displayed as something like "11/20/2005 12:30:00." Internally, like both dates and times, it is stored as an integer. In this case the internally stored number represents the number of seconds since 1/1/0001. The timestamp can represent date/time combinations ranging from 1/1/0001 00:00:00 to 12/31/4000 11:59:59.999999 (a range of over a hundred billion seconds).

As with the related date and time field types, timestamps can be displayed and entered in a variety of formats. It’s also possible to perform math with timestamps as with dates and times, but since timestamps can measure time in days but are stored in seconds, the math may get a bit unwieldy.

The timestamp data type is commonplace in the database world. Some flavors of timestamp offer the capability to track a time zone as well.

Container

The container data type is FileMaker’s field type for binary data (meaning data that, unlike text and numbers, does not have an accepted plain-text representation). Binary data generally represents an electronic file of some sort, such as a picture, a movie, a sound file, or a file produced by some other software application such as a word processor or page layout program.

A single container field can store a single binary object up to 4 gigabytes in size. Though any type of electronic file can be stored in a container field (one file per field), FileMaker has specialized knowledge of a few types of binary data, and can play or display such objects directly by calling on operating system services. Specifically, FileMaker can play or display pictures, sounds, and movies (and in fact any "movie-like" file supported by QuickTime, if QuickTime is installed). Additionally, on Windows, a container field can store and display Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) objects.

When working with container fields, it’s important to understand the distinction between storing the data directly (embedding the entire file in the FileMaker database and increasing its file size by tens or hundreds of K or indeed by megabytes) and storing it by reference (storing just the path to the specified file). The former leads to larger database files; the latter relies on the binary files being stored in a fixed location and not moving relative to the database.

Many other database systems are able to handle binary data, but there’s little in the way of an agreed-upon standard for doing so. In general, each database tool has its own means for dealing with binary data.

Calculation

From the point of view of data types, calculations are not a data type at all. They are instead a field type, and can be constructed to return their results as any of the six fundamental data types: text, number, date, time, timestamp, or container.

Summary

Summary fields are another example of a field type rather than a data type. Summary fields perform summary operations on sets of grouped records, and always return a numeric result.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020