Installing plug-ins

Database developers can insert plug-in files in container fields, then use scripts and calculations to install and update plug-ins.

Note  If you are concerned that unwanted plug-ins might be installed when you use custom apps on a trial basis, you can disable the Allow Solutions to Install Files option in the plug-in preferences. However, be aware that the custom app may not behave as intended if you don't allow required plug-ins to install. See Setting plug-in preferences.

To install a plug-in file:

1. Create a container field. See About container fields.

2. Do one of the following:

   • In Browse mode, select the container field, choose Insert menu > Insert File, select a plug-in file, then click Open.

   • Write a script and use the Insert File script step to place the plug-in in the container field. See Creating and editing scripts and Insert File.

3. Create a script and use the Install Plug-In File script step to specify the container field as the target field.

4. Run the script to install the plug-in.

   Plug-ins are installed in the following folders:

   • Windows: C:\users\user_name\AppData\Local\FileMaker\FileMaker Pro\XX.X\Extensions\

   • macOS: Macintosh HD/Users/user_name/Library/Application Support/FileMaker/FileMaker Pro/XX.X/Extensions

   where XX.X is the version number of FileMaker Pro.

Tip  You can use the Get(InstalledFMPlugins) function to identify the version of the installed plug-in and compare it with the version of the plug-in stored in the container field, then update the plug-in by reinstalling, if necessary. See Plug-in update example and Get(InstalledFMPlugins).

Notes 

• FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Server will not load a plug-in if it has already loaded a plug-in with the same plug-in ID.

• Some plug-ins may require that you restart FileMaker Pro, or FileMaker Server after you install or update them. See the plug-in's documentation.

• For more information on installing plug-ins on FileMaker Server, see FileMaker Server Help.

• If your custom app requires a specific plug-in version that works only with the current version of FileMaker Pro, instruct users to manually place plug-ins in the Extensions folder inside the FileMaker Pro folder of the current version.

• If a plug-in is intended for all installed versions of FileMaker Pro, you must manually install the plug-in in each user's AppData\Local\FileMaker\Extensions (Windows) or Application Support/FileMaker/Extensions (macOS) folder.

• The search order for loading plug-ins starts with the folder that the Install Plug-In File script step uses. The last location checked is the AppData\Local\FileMaker\Extensions (Windows) or Application Support/FileMaker/Extensions (macOS) folder.

• A plug-in is moved to the Extensions/Saved folder when:

  • a newer version of the same plug-in is installed

  • the user cancels loading a plug-in that can't be verified (see Setting permitted hosts and plug-ins preferences)

• If a plug-in fails to install, the Get(LastErrorDetail) function returns an error message.

• macOS: Plug-ins stored in container fields are compressed by default.