Open File

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Open File

Purpose

Opens the specified FileMaker file or allows the user to select a file to open.

See also

Opening and managing files

Automating tasks with scripts

Format

Open File [Open hidden: On/Off ; "<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 FileMaker data sources and Editing ODBC data sources.

Compatibility

Where the script step runs	Supported
FileMaker Pro	Yes
FileMaker Server	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 [With dialog: On]
Open File [Open hidden: Off ; "Invoices Backup"]
Perform Script ["Import Invoices" from file: "Invoices Backup"]