FileMaker Pro. Build applications and work with data.

Creating relational databases in FileMaker Pro

Pro combines tables, relationships, layouts, scripts and permissions. Spreadsheet data can be a start, but the application requires establishing identifiers, validation, and accountability for changes. Pro runs on Windows and macOS; screens for Go and WebDirect are also prepared in this environment.

• Tables, field types, keys and relationships between records.
• Layouts, portals, lists of values, styles and data entry rules.
• Photos, scans and files in container fields.
• Start from an Excel or CSV import or from matching a sample application.

Search, reports and documents

Search, sort, and form, list, and table views help you find the right set of records. You can summarize data by client, project or period and drill down from result to detail.

We select grouped reports, charts, printouts and PDF and Excel files to suit the recipient. The project also includes a document template, page settings and control over which records are exported. Sending from the application uses the prepared mechanism and permissions.

When do you need hosting?

Pro can be used to work on a local file. We design the team's production access with appropriate Server or Cloud hosting and licenses. We do not transfer historical sharing limits from previous Pro versions to the current offer.

Scripts, calculations and diagnostics

Scripts guide the application through subsequent steps, and calculations determine values and operating conditions. Order in parameters, variables and record context helps develop logic and find the causes of errors.

Pro includes Script Debugger, Data Viewer, custom functions and menus, and schema documentation tools, including DDR and saving copies as XML. You can copy or import table structures and use plug-ins compatible with your version. These tools expand on the former Pro Advanced workshop.

Developer tools also let you encrypt the database file. Encryption at rest is separate from accounts, privilege sets and encryption of the connection to the host. Include the key and the procedure for regaining access in your backup and recovery plan.

Connect the application to external data

File import and export works well for periodic replacement. When service interconnection is needed, we use JSON and HTTP calls, the host's FileMaker Data API, or supported ODBC sources. The connection method must match the format, authentication and capabilities of the other system.

Example tasks include retrieving an order, matching a customer, saving the item, and returning a confirmation. Remessage handling and the error log are part of the same process.

When exchanging files, we check, among others: CSV, TAB, Excel and XML, including encoding, field types and import repeatability. Connections to MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle are matched to supported sources, drivers and versions. Accessing external tables via ESS and ODBC import or ODBC/JDBC data sharing are separate mechanisms.

FileMaker development: more convenient workshop and AI

FileMaker 2026 expands the developer's workshop: custom function folders, folding multi-page PDF documents using scripts, and Adaptive Inspector for macOS. Before updating, we compare the functions with the documentation of the target version and test the application on a copy.

AI models can support semantic search, document analysis, and summarization. The design includes the selection of data, model and method of evaluating the results. When reading text from PDF, we check the document format and operating system; OCR of scans by GetTextFromPDF is available on macOS.

Are you using the older Pro Advanced?

FileMaker Pro Advanced is no longer a separate, ongoing product. The current FileMaker Pro includes advanced tools: Script Debugger, Data Viewer, custom functions, menu sets and database structure documentation. An older solution can be developed after checking its compatibility with the target version.

The tools can be enabled in general settings by Use advanced tools and restart Pro. They make it easy to observe fields, variables and calculations, disable script steps for diagnostics, copy fields and import table structures, and create a DDR report or XML record.

Legacy runtime applications require a separate assessment of the distribution method. Kiosk mode hides interface elements but does not replace runtime, licensing or data security. In the migration, we also check encryption, menus, plugins and the way the application is shared.