CatBase Table Structure

In the current version of CatBase, there are four tables that you can use to store your data, and they are related together in a certain way.You might use only one table for your project, or you might use more than one. This Tutorial explains their relationships and helps you to figure out how many tables you'll need for your project. Keep in mind that CatBase is very flexible and you will be able to change the table names, and, modify, and delete fields at any time. So don't worry too much about getting those details exactly right when you start your project; the most important thing at this point is to understand the structure of your database.

If you're not familiar with the terminology used in this Tutorial - such as what tables, fields, and records are - please read our Database 101 tutorial before you start.

Organising your data into tables

Think about the data that you are going to publish, and how it is structured. You need to have a clear picture of how the data is organised into tables and fields, and how the tables relate to each other. In a new database the tables are named Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, and Table 4. You can rename the tables; in the examples shown in the table below, we've given the tables names suited to the type of project being described. Let's look at some examples ...

Type of publication	Tables	Comment
Simple telephone directory	Entries (eg companies, people)	Just one table is used. This is also known as a flat-file database.
Business Directory	Companies	Each Company can have any number of Employees; each Employee belongs to one Company. When you publish the directory, you can show each company's basic details (name, address, etc.) and then follow that with a list of its employees.
Business Directory	Employees
Product catalogue with options (eg different colours, sizes, parts, etc.)	Products	Each Product can have any number of Options/Parts, and each Option/Part can belong to any number of Products. You'll be able to publish a catalogue showing each product's details, plus a list or table of all its options.
	Options/Parts
Parts catalogue with products from multiple manufacturers or suppliers	Suppliers	Each Supplier can have any number of Products; Each Product belongs to one Supplier, and can have any number of Parts; Each Part belongs to one or more Products. You'll be able to produce catalogues sorted by Supplier (listing all their products), or by product (showing suppliers' details, such as their logo), plus a list or table of the parts associated with each product.
	Products
	Parts
Parts catalogue with products from multiple Suppliers, plus contact details for various people at each Supplier	Suppliers	Each Supplier can have any number of Products and any number of Contacts; Each Contact belongs to one Supplier; Each Product belongs to one Supplier, and may have any number of Parts; Each Part belongs to one or more Products. You'll be able to produce: a catalogue sorted by Supplier a contact directory showing each Supplier and their Contacts a price listed sorted by Product or Part a Parts list etc.
	Contacts
	Products
	Parts

The data that is maintained in these tables will be used to create your publications. You can change the names of these tables and add and modify the fields that belong to each one. If you use the Database Setup Wizard to create your new database, you'll be guided through the steps of naming your tables and fields. But these can be modified at any time by going into the Table and Field Setup Wizard (click on the Setup button and choose Table and Field Setup).

Relations

With each table relationship, one table is the “parent” and the other is the “child.” In CatBase, the table relationships are many-to-many: each "parent" record can have any number of "child" records related to it, and each "child" record can belong to multiple "parent" records..See our Related Tables Tutorial for more information about how to create and maintain related data.

If you're not sure how to organise your data into tables, it might help to think of how you would arrange the data in a spreadsheet. If you would put everything into one worksheet, then a single table might work for you. If you would organise the data into two or more worksheets, then you'll probably need to use related tables in CatBase.

If you're not sure how to organise your data into tables, please contact us with a description of your project. We'll be happy to help you figure out the best way to do it.

Options

CatBase Table Structure

Organising your data into tables

Relations