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 solution files on a trial basis, you can disable the
Allow Solutions to Install Files option in the plug-in preferences. However, be aware that the solution file 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:
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.
3. Create a script and use the Install Plug-In File script step to specify the container field as the target field. See
Install Plug-In File.
4. Run the script to install the plug-in.
FileMaker Pro installs plug-ins in the following locations:
Operating system | Product | Plug-ins are installed in this folder |
Windows | FileMaker Pro | C:\users\user_name\AppData\Local\FileMaker\FileMaker Pro\15.0\Extensions\ |
FileMaker Pro Advanced | C:\users\user_name\AppData\Local\FileMaker\FileMaker Pro Advanced\15.0\Extensions\ |
OS X | FileMaker Pro | Macintosh HD/Users/user_name/Library/Application Support/FileMaker/FileMaker Pro/15.0/Extensions |
FileMaker Pro Advanced | Macintosh HD/Users/user_name/Library/Application Support/FileMaker/FileMaker Pro Advanced/15.0/Extensions |
Tip You can use the Get(InstalledFMPlugins) function to identify the version of the installed plugin 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
Updating plug-ins and
Get(InstalledFMPlugins).
Notes
•FileMaker Pro can only install plug-ins that match the FileMaker Pro application’s architecture. For example, the 64-bit version of FileMaker Pro can only install 64-bit plug-ins. Use the
Get(ApplicationArchitecture) function to determine the current application's architecture.
•If a plug-in has been disabled in the client’s plug-in preferences, it will install but will not be accessible to FileMaker Pro until it is manually enabled by the user.
•You cannot install multiple versions of a plug-in to support multiple versions of FileMaker Pro.
•If your solution requires a specific plug-in version that cannot be shared with other versions of FileMaker Pro, instruct users to manually place plug-ins in the Extensions folder inside the FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Pro Advanced, or FileMaker runtime folder.
•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 (OS X) folder.
•The search order for loading plug-ins starts with the Extensions folder inside the FileMaker Pro application folder, followed by 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 (OS X) folder.
•FileMaker Pro will not load a plug-in if it has already loaded a plug-in with the same plug-in ID.
•OS X: Plug-ins stored in container fields are compressed by default.
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