Making a symbol a button...

For a button do I have to make a shape first?
I got a graphic, that is animated,but I apply all the correct actions to it, save it as a button, and it doesnt work,but when I make a shape and do the same thing it works....Why is Flash Mx doing this????!

Try Importing your graphic "Ctrl + R" then delete it from your scene (note: it will still exist in your library, so you havn't really deleted it) now Create new symbol (Ctrl + F8) select button and name it and press ok. Now you will automaticly go to the buttons edit scene (over, hit, down ect.) Now just drag your graphic on to the scene from your Library (Ctrl + L to reveal Library).

and that should do it.