Running SQL queries

[dyl]

Hi all, this is my first time in the forum, so please excuse me if I should be posting this in another area of the site. Basically, I am new to FileMaker Pro and am currently using version 7 here at work. I have been playing around with it and am just trying to run an SQL query **within** Filemaker Pro (I remember this sort of functionality being in MS Access). But so far, I keep on encountering an error message which I can't figure out.

Thus far, I have been using the ScriptMaker feature of the tool experimenting with many different SQL formats (i.e. single quotes, double quotes, ; and no ;, etc.) My query is:

SELECT 'Support_Equipment'.'EID'

FROM 'Support_Equipment'

WHERE 'Library' = 'Biomed'

ORDER BY 'Support_Equipment'.'EID';

However, the tool is returning the message: "ODBC Error: [Microsoft][ODBC dBase Driver] Syntax error in query. Incomplete query clause."

I tried looking this up on the web, but not really finding exactly what I need. Can anyone shed any light on this? Any help is much appreciated. If I can provide more info, please let me know.

Thanks,

dyl

[dyl]

I just wanted to clarify my earlier comment. I was wondering if there is native SQL command execution support within FileMaker Pro 7.

It just occurred to me actually that it may be necessary for me to use a third-party application, such as SQL Navigator or Database Explorer. So I think the answer to my initial question is probably no, there is no native support. If anyone could confirm, I'd appreciate it. Thank you.

[-Queue-]

SQL queries are not available within FileMaker. They are used to manipulate outside data sources. FileMaker uses Find Mode to select 'queries' or relationships to pull the data without performing an actual query.

[DanBrill]

I've never been quite clear on this function. It seems that a SQL query can be used to grab data from an outside database, but but can't be used to get data from within a FM database.

Am I interpreting this correctly?

[-Queue-]

I would say yes. You can use it for importing records via ODBC, but you can't 'push' FM data to an external db nor can you manipulate data within FileMaker.

[dyl]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Your input was helpful. I think the route I am going to go is using this third party app called db explorer.