Welcome to our community, full of great ideas on developing your FileMaker solutions effectively,
for peer-to-peer support of the FileMaker Platform and related products and services.
The FileMaker Script Debugger is powerful. Its features are often overlooked. In this post we examine the buttons that control stepping through a script.
The post Like a Boss: Using the Script Debugger to its Full Potential appeared first on Geist Interactive.
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Hacking Your Own FileMaker Platform Solutions
Should FileMaker Platform developers mount hacking attacks on their own solutions? At first glance, this may seem an odd question. But I believe that the answer is “Yes, we should.”
Consider this. As developers we see our solutions from a totally different perspective than Threat Agents see them. Without practicing our own hacking skills, we can become blind to the vulnerabilities a Threat Agent can exploit to compromise the Confidentiality
WidgetStudio makes it easy to use, design and share powerful interface widgets, like calendars, gauges, charts, and timers. Pick from the constantly growing set of included widgets or build your own. Freely share them with your customers or friends.
The post Announcing WidgetStudio – FileMaker WebViewer Widgets appeared first on Geist Interactive.
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Hierarchical JSON Viewer / Editor
By Andy Persons & Doug West
One of the standout new features of FileMaker Pro 16 is native support for the JSON data-interchange format. In addition to providing easy integration with a host of online services, it also provides developers with the tools to create robust hierarchical structures for use entirely within FileMaker. This hierarchical JSON viewer / editor file provides some tools for visualizing, manipulating, and leveraging JSON text.
Features
The FileMaker Let function is your tool to make a calculation readable, well formatted and easy to debug. Let us discuss how it can be used.
The post Like a Boss: Let us Discuss the FileMaker Let Function appeared first on Geist Interactive.
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After the joy of seeing so many friends and colleagues last year, we are excited to be premier sponsors again for this year’s Claris Engage 2025. Come just us from March 25-27th on the Apple Campus in Austin, Texas. Where Can You Find Us? We’ll have one booth on the main expo floor— it will […]
The post Claris Engage 2025 is just around the corner! appeared first on Proof+Geist.
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Introduction If you work with large JSON structures in FileMaker, you may be aware that the current shipping version of the product (FileMaker Pro 21, a.k.a. FileMaker Pro 2024) has a single-element JSON cache, which is reset whenever JSONSetElement or JSONGetElement is called, and that you can boost performance by taking this into account. Six… Continue reading JSON Optimization in FM 21View the full article
Are you a FileMaker developer looking to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into your workflows? Productive Computing University‘s AI Essentials for FileMaker Developers course is designed to give you a solid foundation in applying artificial intelligence (AI) within your FileMaker solutions.
Why use AI?
AI is changing the way developers build solutions, automate processes, and improve workflows. As a FileMaker developer, understanding how to incorporate AI into your projects can enh
Continuing from a previous video that introduced the Execute FileMaker Data API script step, this video explores the remaining CRUD operations added in FileMaker 21+.
With the create, update, duplicate, and delete actions, we can now leverage more stateless data operations thanks to direct write access to tables.
This video walks through the new write capabilities of the Execute FileMaker Data API script step. Along the way, we’ll also share tips and tricks for writing Custom Functions and exp
If you’re on MacOS, and use the Monkeybread (a.k.a. MBS) plug-in with “check variable names” enabled, you quickly come to appreciate how useful this feature, also known as linting, can be. For example I recently helped another developer track down a script problem that turned out to be a slight misspelling of a variable name,… Continue reading A Tip for MBS “Check Variable Names”View the full article
The Execute FileMaker Data API script step has been around for quite a few years. It was introduced in FileMaker 19, around 2020. If you haven't used it, you may be manually creating JSON for your records when you don’t need to — FileMaker can do this for you. I covered this script step in a video in 2021, explaining how the REST/Data API functionality translates into internal use.
While some features perform better than the Execute Data API step — ExecuteSQL() being one of them — it requires a
We demonstrate how ESS (External SQL Data Source) allows users to connect an existing SQL database to a Claris FileMaker file as an external data source. This grants the user access to many of the functionalities of a standard FileMaker table while also allowing them to continue using the SQL database as they were. Includes sample file and video. Integrating Claris FileMaker with a SQL Database via ESS
dbservices.com
Have you ever needed sample images for your FileMaker solution for a demonstration, training, or marketing? Whether for showcasing a new product or just experimenting with data, having a tool built-in into your file will make the process much easier.
Our video shows you a simple way to generate a selection of high-quality, random images directly in FileMaker using a free online resource called Lorem Picsum.
You’ll learn the step-by-step process of generating professional-looking sample
Need a simple method to install or distribute your Claris FileMaker Pro application to other users? Learn how to create an executable that can be run on Mac and Windows to set up automatic downloads of Claris FileMaker Pro with specific settings. Includes a video. How to Auto-Install Claris FileMaker Pro
dbservices.com
Every development task involves both what you know and what you don’t. The key to achieving the desired outcome often lies in learning what you don’t yet understand. That’s exactly what we’ll explore in this video – how to collect data from related tables for use in various ways.
If you haven’t used the GetNthRecord() function before, this video provides a perfect example of one of its applications. When combined with the While() function, you can build virtually any data structure to help you
Ready to take your FileMaker application to the next level? Discover how Claris Studio can help you leverage the data that drives your business. Claris Studio is the fastest way to build web experiences, enabling you to engage with your audience, improve collaboration, and increase visibility of your most important data - all within the Claris platform. Get Claris Studio now at no additional cost.
dbservices.com
Join DB Services for a webinar on March 12, 2025, at 12pm ET, where we'll discuss how to design client and employee web portals in Claris FileMaker. This webinar will guide you through best practices for building web portals, including when to leverage WebDirect and when alternative approaches might be more effective.
Register now
dbservices.com
Yes, You Need a Website (A Modern, Responsive Website)
Are you a small, local business courting local clients? See how a website can help you grab customers in your geographic service area.
By Kurt Knippel, eXcelisys Project Manager / VP of Production
It’s 2025 and the times, they are a-changin’. If you’re one of those holdouts still relying on word-of-mouth referrals and a Facebook business page, it’s time to act. Sure, social media platforms are great for establishing a digital presence a
One of the best feelings when developing is making new discoveries and finding solutions to common problems you didn’t know how to solve before. In this week’s video, I present an overarching solution for managing the layout state of any layout within your application. I also introduce a highly useful method for both managing and executing a universal sort on any field present in the layout.
The combination of managing the layout state with the introduction of a universal sorting script will si
A streamlined workflow system is a powerful tool that can save a lot of time and make a world of difference for your business processes. We explore a way of automating workflows and handling the heavy lifting of tasks while simplifying script schedule tracking and reducing manual errors. Includes demo file and video. Workflow Settings in Claris FileMaker
dbservices.com
Featuring: Description: In this episode of The Context Podcast, join Martha Zink and Julie Sigfrinius as they discuss the upcoming Claris Engage 2025 conference! Get a sneak preview of all the fascinating things scheduled for the event. From retro games to exclusive merchandise, an expo hall, and a packed roster of talks lead by FileMaker […]
The post The Context Podcast: Claris Engage 2025 appeared first on Proof+Geist.
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The first and most common way you'll likely use JSON within your FileMaker solution - should you choose to adopt it for this purpose - is as your primary method for passing script parameters.
If you haven’t done so yet, it is highly recommended that you use JSON for script parameters. Not only does this provide an opportunity to become thoroughly familiar with the format, but it also helps you understand the most common method of transmitting data when working with nearly any internet-based API
Implementing AI function calling in FileMaker Pro can elevate an application to include a level of flexibility and dynamic ability that was beyond the scope of imagination just a few years ago. Let's explore how AI function calling is empowering developers to build more sophisticated and intuitive applications in FileMaker. Includes video and demo file.
dbservices.com
Have a look at a new feature in FileMaker 2024 that gives you the ability to use variables with repetitions to define file paths. This enhancement offers greater flexibility and simplifies path management for developers. In the video we’ll show you:
How to define paths using variable repetitions
The benefits of using this feature in your scripts
Demonstration of exporting records to different file paths using a single variable with repetitions
Whether you’re managing multiple
Designing layouts in FileMaker is one of my favorite aspects of the platform. The ability to simply drag and position elements exactly where you want them feels akin to being a painter, free to use any tools and materials you choose. FileMaker strikes a remarkable balance between the creative and technical sides of development.
Like all things, achieving the desired results requires knowing a few tricks. Whether it's about stacking objects efficiently or minimizing their number, it's up to the
Here are links to articles, custom functions, etc., I may be referencing during my Wednesday, January 15th FM Training Livestream presentation. JSON and JSON Custom Functions Thinking About JSON, part 1 (intro – reading JSON) Thinking About JSON, part 2 (intro – writing JSON) Thinking About JSON, part 3 (miscellaneous observations) Thinking About JSON, part… Continue reading January 2025 FM Training LivestreamView the full article
Capturing external data directly into FileMaker has always been a bit of challenge due to the variety of technologies required to set everything up. In the past, XML and PHP were commonly used, taking advantage of direct integrations available in FileMaker Server. Even earlier, during the "wild west" days of FileMaker, some systems remarkably relied on AppleScript to facilitate data exchange. Claris, then operating as FileMaker, Inc., provided libraries and methods to enable these connections.
One of the great things about being a developer is finding flow. It’s that feeling when you’re cranking out code, accomplishing one task after another, and time seems to fade into the background - you’re in the zone. However, a few things can really disrupt your flow, and one of the biggest culprits is your development environment.
If your syntax highlighting doesn’t work, or your environment slows you down, productivity takes a hit. That’s why one of the best things any coder can do is optimiz
