Creating a FileMaker Pro file

You can:

  • create a file (or custom app) based on one of the predefined apps

  • create an empty file, then create its tables, fields, and layouts

  • convert a file containing data in another file format (for example, a Microsoft Excel file); see Converting a data file to a new FileMaker Pro file

To create a custom app based on a predefined app:

  1. Choose File menu > Create New.

  2. Choose a predefined app and click Create.

  3. Type a name for the file and:

    • if you're a team manager, you can save the file to a team's FileMaker Cloud host or click On My Mac or On My PC to save locally. (If you change your mind, click FileMaker Cloud to save to a team's host.)

    • if you're not a team manager, choose a different folder, if needed.

  4. Click Save.

    The new custom app opens in Browse mode.

After you create a custom app, you can easily extend it with add-ons. See Working with add-ons.

To create a custom app from a new, empty file:

  1. Choose File menu > Create New.

  2. Choose Blank, then click Create.

  3. Type a name for the file (choose a different folder, if needed).

  4. Click Save.

    The new custom app opens in Browse mode and displays the Manage Database dialog box, where you define fields. Several default fields may already be defined. See Defining database tables.

  5. Define the fields and choose options for them. See Defining and changing fields.

    You can also add tables and define relationships using the Manage Database dialog box. See Defining database tables and Working with related tables.

  6. Click OK to close the Manage Database dialog box.

  7. (optional) Switch to Layout mode and add objects to the layout. See Creating and managing layouts and reports.

  8. In Browse mode, add data to the custom app. See Adding and viewing data.

Notes 

  • To define fields using the Fields tab in Layout mode, see Defining and changing fields in the Fields tab.

  • Avoid using the following in FileMaker Pro filenames:

    • more than one period; the filename should include only the period before the .fmp12 filename extension

    • quotation mark ("), slash (/), backslash (\), angle brackets (< >), asterisk (*), question mark (?), colon (:), vertical bar (|)

See the Knowledge Base.