Filemaker 8 seems to have some interesting new gizmos.

I am hoping someone can answer a few questions about its compatibility with Filemaker 7.

1) Will FM server 7 host databases written with FM Developer 8?

2) Will client stations that are licensed under FM 7 be able to open & interact with files generated by FM Developer 8?

Can the data flow from FM8 to FM7?

The stuff that intrigues me is the exporting to excel, PDF printing and the concept of tabbed layouts. I had expected to see more about Runtime but then again the reviews I have read are pretty cursory.

Can anybody aim me to a discussion of the new features of FM 8 and compatibility issues with FM 7?

Thanks,

Jarvis

Check out the video on their site. I think it is called "What's New in 8" or something.

From what I understand, the answer is Yes, and Yes. However, there are limitations.

Clients with Filemaker 7 cannot use some of the features that are now availiable to us with FM8. For instance, I understand that the new "tabs" do not work with 7, it just dumps all of your tabs onto the layout completely remomving the tabs. I do not know if the tool tips will work with 7 or not, but If I had to guess, I'd guess not.

But, FM8 allows you to check the version of the client, so you could have specific layouts for Clients still no FM7 and different ones for FM8.

Thanks guys!

I see that there is a real useful discussion of FM 8 at the top of the forum. Everything I have seen is real exciting!

Jarvis