Saving and sending records as a snapshot link
You can save a found set of records, called a snapshot link, to capture and preserve a found set as it was when you performed the find request. The file is saved in FileMaker Pro Snapshot Link format (FMPSL) with the filename extension .fmpsl. You can also email an FMPSL file to another person.
The snapshot link includes the current found set of record IDs—including the layout, view, sort order, mode, and toolbar visibility—exactly as it was when you performed the original find request. Snapshot link files can include local or remote records.
To save records as a snapshot link file:
1.
Find the records that you want to save as a snapshot link. See Making a find request.
If you don’t perform a find, all the records in the current table will be included in the FMPSL file.
2.
In Browse mode, Layout mode, or Preview mode, choose File menu > Save/Send Records As > Snapshot Link.
3.
In the Save Records As Snapshot Link dialog box, accept the default filename (the name of the active window with the .fmpsl filename extension), or enter a different name.
4.
For Save, choose Records being browsed to save the entire found set of records. Or choose Current record to save only the current record (in this case, the found set is not stored, but the current record and all other states, such as the layout, view, and sort order, are stored).
5.
If you want to email the snapshot link, for After saving, select Create email with file as attachment.
6.
Click Save.
7.
If you chose to email the snapshot link, a blank email message opens in your default email application, with the FMPSL file attached. Complete the header information and send the message.
To open a snapshot link file:
You can use any method of opening FileMaker Pro files to open a snapshot link file. See Opening files.
The snapshot link file opens in a new window.
Notes
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A snapshot link does not include the find request that was used for finding the records. To see records that are based on current information from the database, you must re‑create the find request.
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If any records (including the current record) in the snapshot link were deleted after the file was created, only the available records are displayed.
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If a layout for a snapshot link no longer exists in the database, or the layout is associated with another table, then no records are displayed.
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You can create a script that creates a snapshot link. See Save Records As Snapshot Link.
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Make sure that everyone who will use the snapshot link has the proper access privileges for the layout and records.
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If any actions are set to be performed on the database when it is opened, such as switching to a layout, running a script, or responding to a script trigger, those actions are done before the snapshot link is opened.
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If database windows are locked and hidden when you try to open a snapshot link, the found set will not be displayed. Unlock and unhide at least one window in the database, and then try again.
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Snapshot links are not supported in runtime solutions created with FileMaker Pro Advanced.
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If Current record was selected when the snapshot link was created, then only the current record is shown, and the state of the database (for example, the layout, view, and sort order used at the time) is restored. If Records being browsed was selected and the window didn’t have a found set, then only the records that existed at the time are shown. Records created after the snapshot link was created are not shown.
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Snapshot link files created in FileMaker Pro 11 are incompatible with later versions, and vice versa. You must convert the database from which the records were found and then re-create the snapshot link. See Converting files from FileMaker Pro 11 and earlier.
Related topics 
Sharing databases on a network
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