If you are like most FileMaker users you use your database to produce merge letters. In fact, I think that the ability to easily produce documents with merged data is one reason many people choose the FileMaker platform. And it works great. Except when you need to have the same letter but with a different paragraph. Or a different sentence. Or a different addressee. Then you are headed for layout mode. Duplicate the layout and change it. Or change the layout with the intention of changing it back. Or create a new one and rename it, say Steve's letter... or forget to rename it and have the dreaded "Layout 127." And this assumes you have access to Layout Mode. If not, you first have to call your DBA, or IT, or the person down the hall who knows the super secret password... over time many well used databases wind up with hundreds of layouts. Some are really very useful, even essential, others are left forgotten, and pile up.

So what can you do about it? We developed fmSpark in part to solve this problem. Instead of producing layout based letters, fmSpark allows you to store letters as data. This way, you can create new letters without leaving browse mode. You can create letter templates and change it on a recipient by recipient basis. Working in fmSpark is like working in a word processor, albeit one with really easy access to all of the merge fields in your database. You won't need special layout skills and you won't need to create special buttons for each letter. fmSpark let's you categorize and group your templates so that they are organized and easy to retrieve.

Download a demo of fmSpark to see how much easier managing your letters can be. And while you are at it, take a look at the cool email and label features fmSpark has, too.