Open Data File

Opens a data file for use with other data file script steps.

Options 

  • Source file is the path of the data file to open. See Creating file paths.
  • Target is the field or variable to store the opened data file’s file ID. If the variable doesn’t exist, this script step creates it (see Using variables).

Compatibility 

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

Originated in version 

18.0

Description 

After the file is opened, you can use the file ID in other script steps such as Get Data File Position, Read from Data File, Set Data File Position, and Write to Data File. Data files remain open until you use the Close Data File script step to close the file or until FileMaker Pro quits.

Notes 

Example 1 

Opens the data file named data.txt and stores the file ID in a variable.

Copy
Open Data File [ "data.txt" ; Target: $fileID ]

Example 2 

Checks whether a file named change.log exists in the Documents folder. If it doesn’t, the script creates the file, opens it, and displays the file ID.

Copy
Set Variable [ $file ; Value: Get ( DocumentsPath ) & "change.log" ]
Get File Exists [ "$file" ; Target: $fileExists ]
If [ not $fileExists ]
    Create Data File [ "$file" ; Create folders: Off ]
End If
Open Data File [ "$file" ; Target: $fileID ]
Show Custom Dialog [ "File ID for " & $file & ": " & $fileID ]
Close Data File [ File ID: $fileID ]