Convert File

Converts a file in a supported format to a FileMaker Pro file.

Options 

  • Open file after conversion lets you specify whether you want a FileMaker Pro file to open automatically after conversion.
  • Skip Indexes lets you specify whether FileMaker Pro should create an index in a converted FileMaker file.
  • With dialog specifies whether to display certain dialog boxes when the script step is performed.
    • When converting FileMaker files, the dialog boxes used to rename the old file and name the converted file are not displayed.
    • When converting other file types, the dialog boxes that are used to specify the way a file and its data are converted are not displayed.

    In these two cases, the default settings for those dialog boxes are used instead.

  • Specify data source lets you choose the file or source of the data to be converted. If you don’t specify a file, FileMaker Pro displays the Open File dialog box when the script step performs. For more information about converting files, refer to the Knowledge Base.

    Depending on the file or source you choose, a dialog box may appear for specifying the following additional options.

  • When you choose this file or source

    Do this

    File

    In the Specify File dialog box, choose the file you want to import. See Creating file paths.

    If you specify a file with a custom field delimiter in the Specify File dialog box, for File Type, choose Custom-Separated Values and specify the field delimiter.

    In the Convert File dialog box, you can choose any record to use as field names for certain file formats indicated in Supported import/export file formats, choose which fields to import, and specify a target table name.

    XML Data

    In the Specify XML and XSL Options dialog box, choose the source of the XML data that you want to import, and choose an XSLT style sheet if you want to apply one prior to import. The XML and XSLT source may be a file or the result of an HTTP request. See Importing XML data.

    In the Convert File dialog box, you can choose which fields to import, and specify a target table name.

    ODBC Data

    Specify the data source name and location, the user ID and password (if any), and the SQL query to be executed. See Constructing an SQL query for importing via ODBC.

    In the Convert File dialog box, you can choose which fields to import, and specify a target table name.

  • Verify SSL Certificates verifies the SSL certificate of the server specified in an HTTP request for XML data. If the certificate cannot be verified, users can choose to connect anyway or cancel to skip this script step. If the certificate cannot be verified and the Set Error Capture script step is set to On, this script step behaves as if the server were unavailable.

Compatibility 

Product Supported
FileMaker Pro Yes
FileMaker Go No
FileMaker WebDirect No
FileMaker Server No
FileMaker Cloud No
FileMaker Data API No
Custom Web Publishing No

Originated in version 

6.0 or earlier

Description 

For details on options in the Convert File dialog box that are also in the Import Field Mapping dialog box, see Setting the import action and mapping fields during import.

Notes 

  • You cannot use this command to convert the contents of a folder. Each file in a folder must be converted separately.

Example 1 

Converts the Invoices database to the current FileMaker format.

Copy
Show Custom Dialog [ "Convert the Invoices database?" ]
If [ Get ( LastMessageChoice ) = 1 ]
    Convert File [ With dialog: On ; "Invoices.fp7" ]
End If