The Kexi Handbook

The Kexi Handbook

Martin A. Ellis

Jaroslaw Staniek

Revision 1.6 (2006-09-07)

Copyright © 2004, 2005, 2006 Jaroslaw Staniek, Martin Ellis

Kexi is the application for creating databases and for data management in the KOffice productivity suite.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Kexi Basics

Kexi Databases

Creating a New Database File

The Kexi Main Window

Main application elements

Opening an existing Kexi database file

Opening a database file in the Open Existing Project dialog
Opening an existing Kexi database file by clicking on .kexi file's icon

Using built-in help

3. Building Simple Databases

Introduction

Designing Database Tables

The Table Designer window

Entering Data Into Tables

Designing Database Queries

Designing Forms

Most important terms
Forms versus tables
Working with form design
Using the Widgets tab
Inserting widgets - text fields
Assigning data sources
Inserting text labels
Actions
Widget layouts
Setting widgets size and position by hand
Setting the tab order

Entering Data Using Forms

4. Configuring Kexi

Window Layout

IDEAl mode
Childframe mode

Docking and Undocking Windows

Docking and undocking side panels
Docking and undocking child windows

5. Command Reference

The File Menu
The Edit Menu
The View Menu
The Insert Menu
The Format Menu
The Data Menu
The Tools Menu
The Window Menu
The Settings Menu
The Help Menu

6. Credits and License

A. Introduction to Databases

What Is a Database?

Database and Spreadsheet

How Is a Database Different From a Spreadsheet?

Database Design

Who Needs a Database?

Database Creation Software

B. Comparing Kexi to other database applications

Data types

List of Tables

B.1. Comparison of data types used in Kexi and other database applications

Introduction