GENERATIONS 3.x provides a variety of tools with which to view your development data in meaningful ways:

• Pre-configured reports
• FileMaker Pro’s built-in tools for Find, Sort, Layout, Print
• Layouts and reports you create yourself

Pre-configured Reports

Pre-configured reports are available in most all of the major GENERATIONS 3.x files—Constituents, Transactions, Campaigns, Funds, Appeals, and Events—and typically operate on a found set of records which you determine. The report automatically sorts the records in an appropriate fashion and then presents the information for viewing on the screen or printing.

If a report is run from the Constituents or Transactions files, they generate information about the found set of constituents or transactions. If the report is run from the Campaigns, Funds, Appeals, or Events files, the report details information about transactions and/or constituents associated with that item. You are given a choice of running the report for the current record or for a found set of records.

Find, Sort, Layout, Print

Because GENERATIONS 3.x is built in FileMaker Pro and is what iR refers to as an open solution you always have access to FMP’s built-in tools for finding, arranging, and presenting information. iR refers to this method as FSLP or Find, Sort, Layout, Print.

Find: involves isolating a group of records.

Sort: is arranging those records in some order.

Layout: is viewing those records as labels, in a list view, in a letter, or some other layout.

Print: is sending the found set of records to a printer, or exporting them to another file format, or just viewing them on the screen.

For example, you may want to print a sorted list of all the alums who graduated in 1956. On the list you want their names, their phone numbers and their email addresses. Using the FSLP method you would first use the Find mode to find all the constituents who graduated in 1956 and then sort them all by last name. You would then navigate to the layout that provides the constituents’ names, phone numbers and email addresses and print it. You could also choose to just view the list on the screen or export it to another file format. In the event that the desired layout did not exist you would have the option of creating it.

FoundSets

You have the ability to save a found set of either constituent or transaction records for quicker retrieval at some future date in GENERATIONS 3.x. This is handy if you find you are often having to retrieve the same group of records. These FoundSets are named and stored in the FoundSets file. When activated at a later date they retrieve the original found set of records.

QuickFinds

QuickFinds allow you to quickly find a set of records and display them in a meaningful way. QuickFinds contain scripted finds and are activated by clicking a button. When selected, QuickFinds locate a pre-determined group of constituents, transactions or other items and display them in an appropriate manner. For example, in the Constituents file there is a Find Alum QuickFind. When pressed, this will automatically find all the constituents in the database that are alums and display them in a list view. QuickFinds do not contain scripted sorts. In order to see your data sorted by some criteria you must perform the sort manually.

QuickLists

QuickLists are commonly needed views of your data presented in a list format. They do not contain scripted finds or sorts. This allows you to find any group of records and display them in a pre-configured list. An employer list in Constituents is an example of a QuickList. You would find the constituents for whom you wish to display employer information, sort them according to some criteria and then select the Employer QuickList. This list contains all the pertinent fields. You may want an employer list of all the 1976 graduates one day and an employer list of all your solicitors another day. QuickLists allow for this flexibility.

End of Year Procedures

At the beginning of the new fiscal year GENERATIONS 3.x will automatically switch to the new year based on a preference that is set during installation. However, you must perform a complete update in the new fiscal year before continuing to enter data. Failure to do so will result in your totals being off by one year.