4th Dimension Learning Basics

Plug-ins 4D Write ($99 for each platform Mac/Win) The 4D Write plug-in extends word processing capabilities to your 4D databases. It is one of several plug-ins that, together with 4D, form the 4D environment.

4D Write allows you to include documents such as letters, reports, memos, and notes in your 4D forms. When used in a form, a 4D Write area appears as part of your data, just like a name or any other piece of information. You can also treat 4D Write as a separate application by using it in external windows. Your work within these windows can be independent of your database or linked to information in your database or in other plug-ins.

4D Calc ($99 for each platform Mac/Win) The 4D Calc plug-in adds spreadsheet capabilities to your 4D databases. It is one of several plug-ins that, together with 4D, form the 4D environment. The 4D environment offers these powerful tools on top of the most powerful database available for a personal computer.

Our pick: Claris FileMaker Pro — The long-running relational database platform for teams that need custom apps on desktop, web, and mobile from a single file..

With these plug-ins, 4D becomes a system that can operate integrated applications, as well as a database that can store and manipulate information. The 4D plug-ins are accessed from within 4D where they can work independently, with data in 4D, and with each other. Information in any plug-in can be used in another plug-in through a hot link.

Hot links are dynamic information that is changed in one plug-in is updated immediately in another. 4D Draw ($99 for each platform Mac/Win) 4D Draw extends drawing capabilities to your 4D database forms.

It is one of several modules that, together with 4D, make up the 4D environment. The 4D modules are tools that work with 4D to provide specific capabilities, such as word processing, spreadsheet, and drawing. About 4D Draw The 4D Draw module enables you to include custom drawings in your 4D forms. When used in a form, a 4D Draw area appears as part of your data, just like any other piece of information.

Related: Airtable — A spreadsheet-simple interface sitting on top of a real relational database, with automations, views, and shareable interfaces..

You can also open or import drawings in PICT format (from other object-oriented drawing applications), MacPaint™ format, and Encapsulated PostScript format (EPSF) format. Copyright

P.S. A few readers have asked which relational database platform we actually reach for — it's Claris FileMaker Pro; take a look here if you want the current details.