Create a place to store any
information on your iPad for cost of one app
Skill level:
Anyone can do it
It will take: 20 minutes
You’ll need:
iPad, Bento 4 or iPad ($10.4, App Store)
Bento lets you build databases to store
information on any subject you want. If you already use it on the Mac, the iPad
version can be synced to carry your existing databases with you. But the iPad
version is more powerful than that: it offers the ability to create databases
too. In this tutorial, well show you how to add fields to a database, create
new records, browse them, and view them in different ways, using the grid and
form views. Bento creates simple form layouts, for you but well show you how to
personalise them so that information Is easy to read.
Build
a database with Bento 4
For this tutorial, we’ll create a simple
library to track a video and games collection, with a facility for recording
loans. It will use three of the field types that Bento supports (though there
are more). They include checkboxes and text fields that are specially formatted
to store email addresses, website addresses and monetary amounts, though not
all are needed in every database. By the end of this guide, you’ll understand
how Bento works, and how to build and customise a database to the task you have
in mind.
The Bento to interface
1. The library list
The left pane shows your libraries and
collections. It can be hidden when not needed. Tap this arrow to slide the list
out of view, and again to bring it back. Hiding the pane gives a dearer view of
a library’s contents, even in landscape orientation. Double-tap a library’s
name to rename it.
2. Make new libraries
Tap this to create a new library or a
collection, which is a hand-picked subset of a library. This menu also lets you
change icons for the left pane, and delete libraries. When creating a
collection, scroll through and tap records to mark them for inclusion. A search
bar helps you quickly find things.
3. Different views
Records can be viewed two ways. The
spreadsheet-like grid view shows several at once, so you can quickly find
something, or you can focus on one record in form view, which is more pleasant
to read and better for browsing media fields containing photos. Tap this icon
to toggle between the two views.
4. Both views at once
Tap this and choose Settings > Enable
Split View to show grid and form views on opposite sides of the screen. The
view button then cycles through the three variations. Split view works best in
landscape, with the library list hidden. Each you can adjust the split by
dragging the dividing line. This can be tricky, though.
5. Add and remove records
The plus and minus buttons at the bottom
left are used to add and remove records. In grid view, tap a record to select
it before tapping delete.
6. Browse a library
Use these arrows to step through records.
Move more quickly by dragging the slider to scrub through records.
Alternatively, type in the search bar to filter down to records which contain
that text. To see all records again, tap the cross in the right side of the
search bar.
By
the end of this guide, you’ll understand how Bento works, and how to build and
customise a database to the task you have in mind.
Create a database
1. Add fields to a library
Create a new library, choose the Blank
template, then switch to the grid view. Tap the column headed New Field to add
one, and call it ‘Title’. Repeat this to add fields named ‘Format ‘Loaned to
and ‘Loan date: Tap a column heading to reveal an options bar, which lets you
sort on the field, rename it, delete it, specify what kind of information is
stored in it (Options), and choose which fields are visible (Customize).
Double-tapping a column header snaps it to sensible width, or tap once and drag
the handle.
2. Field types
Tap the Format column heading, choose
Options and change field type to Choice. Nothing appears to happen, but repeat
these taps and you’ll see an option to add a choice. We’ve added DVD, Blu-ray,
PS3 and PS Vita to the list. Use this method to change the Loan date field’s
type to ‘Date: In row 1, double-tap in one of the columns. Title’ and ‘Loaned
to’ show the regular keyboard, ‘Format’ shows the choices you set up, and ‘Loan
date’ shows a keyboard geared to entering dates. Switch to Form view.
3. Switch to form view
A form layout is made for you. Tap a field
to edit its content; tap the pen to customise the layout. The left pane offers
three options. View Fields is empty because all fields are already present on
the form. Tap New Fields and drag the Media item to the right part of the form.
A yellow line previews its insertion point. Name it ‘Cover Tap it to show blue
handles that resize the field when dragged. Tapping the media box lets you add
a picture from the camera roll, take a new photo, or record audio from the mic.
4. Multiple forms
You can create multiple forms for the same
library, shown as tabs across the top of the view. If ours contained fields
across two columns, cover art would be displayed smaller (you can tap media
fields to switch to full-screen view). Tap the plus button next to the pen to
add a form, then tap View Fields. All of the library’s fields are listed as
this form contains none of them. A field can appear on multiple forms to help
identify a record. We don’t need this form, so tap its name, then tap Delete.
5. Decorative elements
On the original form, tap Add Objects to
see items that enhance the visual presentation. Drag one onto the form just as
you would a field. Spacers add horizontal and vertical gaps to break up Information;
the horizontal separator is similar, but adds a visible line for extra
emphasis. Text boxes work as headers to add meaning to grouped fields. Use an
image box to properly personalise the form, perhaps with a small graphic. Tap
these items on the form and use the options bar to adjust their shading and
size.
6. Visual themes
Tap the pen to exit the designer. Bento
provides a range of themes, which change fonts, the colour of the top and
bottom bars and the colour and texture of the page. Tap the information button,
then Choose Theme and browse through the options until you find one you like.
On a less frivolous note, now you’ve got information in Bento, you might want
to protect it. From the same button, choose Settings > Set Passcode and
enter a four-digit PIN that has to be typed each time Bento is opened.
