Open File
 
Purpose 
Opens the specified FileMaker file or allows the user to select a file to open.
See also 
Opening files
Creating scripts to automate tasks
Format 
Open File [Open hidden; “<filename>”]
Options 
 •
Open hidden causes FileMaker Pro to open and hide the specified database.
 •
Add FileMaker Data Source specifies a FileMaker Pro database to open.
 •
Add ODBC Data Source specifies an ODBC data source to open.
 •
Manage Data Sources allows you to modify or remove external data sources you have added. See Editing external FileMaker data sources and Editing ODBC data sources.
Compatibility 
 
Where the script step runs 
Supported 
FileMaker Pro 
Yes 
FileMaker Server scheduled script 
No 
FileMaker Go 
Yes 
Custom Web Publishing 
No 
FileMaker WebDirect 
No 
Runtime solution 
Partial 
Originated in 
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier
Description 
For ODBC data sources, this script step reestablishes a link to the ODBC data source.
Script steps after Open File execute in the FileMaker file that contains the script, not the file opened by the script.
If you don't specify a file, FileMaker Pro displays the Open File dialog box when the Open File script step executes so that the user can specify a file. The Open File dialog box will also be displayed if the file used in the script has been moved, deleted, or renamed.
Notes
 •
If new database creation has been disabled in your installation of FileMaker Pro, it will not be possible to convert file types such as Microsoft Excel or tab delimited files into FileMaker Pro databases. However, you can still import the data from other file types into FileMaker Pro (if you open the database with a password that allows you to import). If you need more information, contact your system administrator.
 •
In runtime solutions, the Open File script step returns an error if an external file is not bound to the solution.
 •
This script step is unable to open a file from an unauthorized file.
 •
If the specified file is opened then hidden by FileMaker Pro, scripts that are set to run upon opening are still executed.
Example 1 
Exports records from the current database, opens the Invoices Backup database, and runs the Import Invoices script from the Invoices Backup database.
Export Records [ ]
Open File ["Invoices Backup"]
Perform Script ["Import Invoices" from file: "Invoices Backup"]
Related topics 
Convert File
Script steps reference (alphabetical list)
Script steps reference (category list)
Working with data sources
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