Configuring an ODBC client driver

Whether you are importing ODBC data or working with ODBC tables in the relationships graph, as a client application, you must configure a driver for the ODBC data source you’re using. For example, if you will be accessing records from an Oracle database, you will configure an Oracle client driver.

The way you interact with the data source, provide a password, and perform and display query results varies with each application’s client driver. Additionally, data source configuration can vary from one ODBC driver manufacturer to another.

Data sources supported in FileMaker Pro

As an ODBC client application, FileMaker Pro supports external SQL data sources such as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and MySQL Community Edition as ODBC tables in the relationships graph. If you are importing ODBC data or are using the Import Records or the Execute SQL script step, you can use additional data sources. For information about the supported external SQL data sources, search the Knowledge Base. For an overview of the various ways of working with ODBC data sources, see Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro.

Note  You must use 64-bit ODBC client drivers for Windows or macOS. By default on Mac computers with Apple silicon, only ODBC client drivers designed to run on these computers will work with FileMaker Pro. See FileMaker Pro Installation Guide.

Use the following procedure as a general guideline for configuring data sources (refer to the documentation that accompanies each data source application for details).

Windows

  1. Start the ODBC Data Source Administrator.

    In Control Panel, choose System and Security > Administrative Tools. Then open Data Sources (ODBC) (64-bit).

  2. Click the System DSN tab or the User DSN tab.

    If your data source appears in the list, the driver is already configured. You can skip the remaining steps and begin accessing ODBC data, or choose your data source and click Configure to modify how you’ll interact with the data source.

    A System DSN (data source name) is available to all users who log in to your computer. A User DSN is available only when you log in.

    Important  Only System DSNs are supported when you are working with ODBC tables in the relationships graph.

  3. Click Add to configure a driver for your data source.

    If no driver appears for the data source you want to use, you can use a driver from a third-party vendor.

    To install a new driver, use the driver’s installation program.

  4. Choose the driver for the data source you’ll be accessing with FileMaker Pro, then click Finish.

    A setup dialog box appears.

  5. For Name, enter descriptive text to identify the data source.

    Many drivers also offer options to customize how you access a data source, such as identifying a particular data source file. Enter descriptive text, if desired.

  6. Click Finish.

  7. Click OK to save your data source information.

macOS

  1. Install the ODBC Manager from Actual Technologies, available at www.odbcmanager.net.

    Note  ODBC Manager is a freeware product not supported by Claris.

  2. Launch the ODBC Manager utility.

  3. Click the System DSN tab (or, for ODBC imports, click either the System DSN tab or the User DSN tab).

    Important  Only System DSNs are supported when you are working with ODBC tables in the relationships graph.

    If your data source appears in the list, the driver is already configured. You can skip the remaining steps and begin accessing ODBC data, or choose your data source and click Configure to modify how you’ll interact with the data source.

    A System DSN (data source name) is available to all users who log in to your computer. A User DSN is available only when you log in.

  4. Click Add to configure a driver for your data source.

    If no driver appears for the data source you want to use, you can use a driver from a third-party vendor.

    To install a new driver, use the driver’s installation program.

  5. Choose the driver for the data source you’ll be accessing with FileMaker Pro, then click OK.

  6. In the configuration dialog box, click Continue.

  7. For Name, enter descriptive text to identify the data source.

    Many drivers also offer options to customize how you access a data source, such as identifying a particular data source file. Enter descriptive text, if desired.

  8. Click Finish.

  9. Click Done to save your data source information.

After you have configured the driver, you can access records in your data source. See Connecting to external data sources and Querying an ODBC data source from FileMaker Pro.