I searched for this and found that is seems possible but not how to do it. Can I enter dates in this format DD/MMM/YYYY i.e. 01/JAN/2005 or does entry have to be based on the systems clock.

See here.

Thanks, I can't find file->file options in filemaker 5.5 can I even do this or is it a new feature in 7

Probably - but the principle is the same: if you change your operating system settings to dd/mm/yyyy, then create or clone the file, it will keep those settings.

After you change your OS settings back (or open the file on another system), you will get a dialog on opening the file, asking which settings to use. You can automate the choice by running a startup script using the Set Use System Formats script step.

Unfortunately for me information services is so strict I'm not even able to change my system time. It's not that big a deal anyway. Thanks for the response.

I don't have version 5 or 6, but perhaps someone else might clone your file for you, with the settings you want.