Setting up a Mad Libs Database

• Open ClarisWorks and select Database.

• At the next screen you will type in the fields you want in your database. Some examples are given below.

• For a Mad Libs database, use the "fill in the blank" words as the fields. Type in the title for the first field and press return. After typing in all the fields, click the Done button in the lower-right corner.
  • Animal
  • Adjective 1
  • Adjective 2
  • Noun
  • Plural Noun
  • Verb
  • Adjective
  • Part of the body
  • Part of the body
  • Noun
  • Noun
• Save your database file and it is now ready for the students to add the data.
• The next step is the data entry.
  • NOTE: Data entry means you are going to fill in the blanks you just created. To move from one blank to another, just hit the Tab key or click inside the blank on which you want to work.
  • NOTE: You can change the amount of space for a field by going to Layout in the menu bar and dragging down to layout. Move the "BODY" line down and arrange the field titles and boxes by clicking on what you want to move.
• Next you will need a new record. Hold down the Apple-Key and press "r" and a new record will appear.
• It is a good habit to Save after entering each new record.