FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced Installation Guide

This Installation Guide tells you how to install FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced on your Windows or Mac computer. Unless noted otherwise, the information in this guide pertains to both platforms.

To send your feedback on this guide, visit the FileMaker website.

For the most up-to-date version of this guide and other FileMaker documentation, see the Product Documentation Center.

For late-breaking information and release notes about FileMaker Pro Advanced, see the FileMaker Knowledge Base.

• For help with installing, starting, or reinstalling FileMaker Pro Advanced (excluding data recovery), in FileMaker Pro Advanced, choose Help menu > Service and Support or visit Support.
• For tips, technical advice, and more information about FileMaker Pro Advanced, visit the FileMaker Knowledge Base.
• To ask questions and get advice from other users, in FileMaker Pro Advanced, choose Help menu > FileMaker Community or visit the FileMaker Community.

Information in the FileMaker Knowledge Base and the FileMaker Community may not be available in all languages.

FileMaker Pro Advanced automatically checks for software updates (which include minor software changes) and for upgrades to new software versions (which include new and changed product features). You can update your software with minor changes when you receive the update notification, or by choosing Help menu > Check for Updates. (You cannot upgrade your software for new and changed features this way; see Upgrading FileMaker Pro Advanced from a previous version.)

You can turn off notifications by choosing Edit menu > Preferences (Windows) or FileMaker Pro Advanced menu > Preferences (macOS).

Depending on how you purchased FileMaker Pro Advanced software, you received either a license certificate file or a license key.

• License certificate (.fmcert) file: This file is available for you to download, along with the FileMaker Pro Advanced installer, depending on how you purchased the software.

  • If you purchased FileMaker Pro Advanced as a download from the FileMaker Store website, you received an email with a link to your Electronic Software Download page. Your license certificate file is available from that page.
  • If you signed up for a FileMaker Cloud subscription or free trial, this file is available from the Subscription page in FileMaker Customer Console.
• License key: If you purchased a boxed version of FileMaker Pro Advanced, your unique, 35-character license key is in the box.

You must have a valid license certificate file or license key to install the software. Otherwise, you can install the software only as a trial. Don't lose your license certificate file or license key; keep it in a safe place in case you need to reinstall the software.

Make a backup copy of your FileMaker Pro Advanced software download in case you need to reinstall the software. See this article in the FileMaker Knowledge Base.

Some features of FileMaker Pro Advanced require additional software.

Feature	Software requirement
Send Mail script step using an email application	A supported email application. See FileMaker Pro Advanced technical specifications. This requirement does not apply to SMTP mail.
Phone dialing (Windows only)	Phone dialer or other Telephony API (TAPI) compliant software.
ODBC and JDBC features	FileMaker ODBC and JDBC drivers, which are available in the xDBC folder in the installation disk image and at FileMaker Downloads and Resources. macOS: ODBC Manager, a freeware product from Actual Technologies. See FileMaker ODBC and JDBC Guide and Help.

If you've installed the FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced trial version on your computer, you can convert to the full version of FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced by providing your license certificate file or license key without uninstalling the trial version first. See Help.

If you are upgrading FileMaker Pro Advanced from a previous version of FileMaker Pro Advanced or FileMaker Pro, upgrade to the new version before uninstalling the previous version.

1. Install the upgrade using your license certificate file (or license key, if you purchased a boxed version). See About the license certificate file or license key.
2. Move plug-ins, dictionary information, and your preferences to the new version of FileMaker Pro Advanced. See the FileMaker Knowledge Base.
3. If you plan to use only the latest version, uninstall the previous version.

If you purchased a boxed, upgrade version of FileMaker Pro Advanced and choose to uninstall the previous version before upgrading to the latest version, make sure you have the license key for the previous version. When you install FileMaker Pro Advanced with an upgrade license key, if a previous version isn't installed, you are asked to enter the license key for the previous version of the product.

Files created by any version of FileMaker Pro Advanced or FileMaker Pro since version 12 are in the FileMaker Pro 12 file format (FMP12) and have the filename extension .fmp12. To use files created with versions earlier than 12, you’ll need to convert them to the FMP12 format. See Help.

If you’re installing FileMaker Pro Advanced on multiple computers (as allowed by your FileMaker software license) or if you want to do a silent installation, you can automate the process. Use the file, Assisted Install.txt, with the installer to bypass the usual installation dialog boxes. See FileMaker Pro Advanced Network Install Setup Guide. For information on licensing, visit the FileMaker website.

• Exit other open programs and save your work.
• Check that your computer meets the system requirements and has the required Windows updates installed. See FileMaker Pro Advanced technical specifications.
• FileMaker Pro Advanced installs required Microsoft software components if they’re not already installed. The Microsoft installers require Internet access to download the necessary files. Therefore, on some computers, installing FileMaker Pro Advanced may require an Internet connection.
• To install FileMaker Pro Advanced, you must have Windows administrator privileges and use an administrator account and password.
• If your computer is running virus protection software, turn it off before you install FileMaker Pro Advanced, and then turn it back on afterward.
• During installation, you can choose whether to install all program features (complete) or portions of the program (custom). For example, you may choose not to install certain features in order to save disk space.
• A complete install installs FileMaker Pro Advanced in the language version you choose at the start of installation. You can install additional language versions by choosing a custom install, then selecting other language packs from the list of supported languages.
• You can also install FileMaker Pro Advanced by using the command line and remotely using a networked volume. See FileMaker Pro Advanced Network Install Setup Guide.

If you are using a supported 32-bit version of Windows, you can install only the 32-bit version of FileMaker Pro Advanced.

On supported 64-bit versions of Windows, you can install either the 32- or 64-bit version of FileMaker Pro Advanced. You must install the 64-bit version of FileMaker Pro Advanced if you plan to use FileMaker Pro Advanced with a 64-bit version of any of the following software:

an email application to send email from FileMaker Pro Advanced

FileMaker Pro Advanced plug-ins

ODBC client drivers for external SQL sources

audio/video codecs to play content in interactive containers

Otherwise, you can install the 32-bit version of FileMaker Pro Advanced.

By default, FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced is installed in one of the following folders.

• On 32-bit Windows systems:
  C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced
• On 64-bit Windows systems:
• 32-bit FileMaker Pro Advanced is installed in
  C:\Program Files (x86)\FileMaker\FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced
• 64-bit FileMaker Pro Advanced is installed in
  C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced

During the installation you can choose a different drive or folder.

You must use the installation program to install FileMaker Pro Advanced—you can’t install FileMaker Pro Advanced by dragging files to your hard disk.

See Before you install.

1. After downloading the file for the 32- or 64-bit version of FileMaker Pro Advanced, double-click the installation icon (.exe file).

2. Follow the onscreen instructions.

If you have problems installing or starting FileMaker Pro Advanced, visit Support.

The Bonjour service enables automatic discovery of computers, devices, and services on your local network.

If Bonjour is not installed or the service is not running, FileMaker Pro Advanced can’t discover remote hosts on your local network. Without Bonjour, you must manually enter the host names or IP addresses for remote hosts on your local network.

If the installer doesn't detect a supported version of Bonjour, it prompts you to install Bonjour.

If you need to install Bonjour manually:

1. Open the FileMaker Pro Advanced installation folder.
2. Open the Files folder, then open the Bonjour folder.
3. Open the 32-bit or 64-bit folder, based on your version of Windows.
4. Double-click the Bonjour (32-bit) or Bonjour64 (64-bit) icon.
5. Follow the onscreen instructions.

You can use Settings or Control Panel in Windows to uninstall FileMaker Pro Advanced, replace missing or corrupt files, or change which features are installed. When you repair FileMaker Pro Advanced, you may be prompted to provide your license certificate file or license key.

• Quit other open programs and save your work.
• Check that your computer meets the system requirements. See FileMaker Pro Advanced technical specifications.
• To install FileMaker Pro Advanced, you must have macOS administrator privileges and use an administrator account and password.
• If your computer is running virus protection software, turn it off before you install FileMaker Pro Advanced, and then turn it back on afterward.
• During installation, you can choose whether to install all the program files (standard install) or portions of the program (custom install). For example, you may choose not to install certain features in order to save disk space.
• A standard install installs FileMaker Pro Advanced in the language matching your operating system. You can install additional language versions by choosing a custom install, then selecting other language packs from the list of supported languages.
• You can also install FileMaker Pro Advanced remotely using Apple Remote Desktop. See FileMaker Pro Advanced Network Install Setup Guide.

By default, FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced is installed in the following folder:

[drive]/Applications/FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced

During the installation you can choose a different drive or folder.

You must use the installation program to install FileMaker Pro Advanced—you can’t install FileMaker Pro Advanced by dragging files to your hard disk.

See Before you install.

1. After downloading the file, double-click the disk image icon (.dmg file).

2. Double-click the FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced installation icon.

3. Follow the onscreen instructions.

If you have problems installing or starting FileMaker Pro Advanced, visit Support.

1. Drag the FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced folder and all its contents from the Applications folder to the Trash.

2. Drag the FileMaker Pro Advanced preferences file to the Trash:

   <home>/Library/Preferences/com.filemaker.client.pro12.plist

After you've installed FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can immediately begin working with the application. Here are some suggestions on how to get started.

• To view self-paced video tutorials on building custom apps, visit the Custom App Academy (may not be available in all languages).
• To explore the FileMaker Pro Advanced predefined apps, which are designed to help you manage common business and personal tasks, in FileMaker Pro Advanced, choose File menu > Create New.
• To display the Product Documentation Center for downloading other guides, in FileMaker Pro Advanced, choose Help menu > Product Documentation.
• For comprehensive information and step-by-step procedures about using FileMaker Pro Advanced, in FileMaker Pro Advanced, choose Help menu > FileMaker Pro Advanced Help.
• For additional training material, visit the FileMaker website.