Is it possible to force a password?

[DavidTMI]

I am new to FM, we have a lot of FM db's and would like to allow users to change their passwords without having to change that password on all the databases. Is it possible to have a login layout with user name and password, verify the user/password against a db that contains user name, password, and an internal password (which is one of the several passwords that we currently use), and then, change the password for that user in FM? I guess the real question is, "How can I change a password internally on the fly? Possible? Thanks for any assistance!

[Fenton]

There is no way to change the internal password on all files, without using a plug-in, such as Password Administrator, by New Millineum, http://www.nmci.com

There would be a way to build a "dual" system however, where they log on with a FileMaker password that gives them their access privileges, then use a custom username/password combination to verify the person.

You could then change the custom password without having to change the actual FM one. The verification would happen in a Login file you'd create.

It could also create a "log" record, with the Date, Time and username, as well as hold the username in a global (unique for each client), so it can be accessed by other files.

The actual names and passwords would be kept in another "preferences" file, with a record for each person. This is where you edit them.

It sounds like you'd then need 2 "password dialogs," first the FM one, then your own. But that isn't necessary in low security systems. You can give each person an "opener" file, which physically resides on their client computer, which has their real FM password built-in, to establish their general access privileges.

By "built-in" I mean it is entered as the default to try on open, in the Preferences, Document dialog. For higher security don't do this, and they'll have 2 login dialogs.

This file opens (remote) the Login file, which is on the "server" computer with the other files. The Login file is where you stop and ask them for their custom username and password. If no match, you close the file. No other files are open to them at this point, not even in the Windows menu. No other files should be visible on the server computer.

This is the simple system. Others may/will have more embellishments and improvements.

[Steven H. Blackwell]

The DialogMagic plug in from New Millennium will allow a user to change the internal password in all files while they are open and running. It requires a bit of scripting but it can be done.