You can use FileMaker Pro Advanced as:
•a data source, sharing your database files with other applications on the same computer using ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) and JDBC (Java Database Connectivity). For example, you can create charts, analyze numbers, and generate reports using FileMaker Pro Advanced data in other applications. See "FileMaker Pro Advanced as a data source," below.
•an ODBC client application, interacting with data sources on the same computer or over a network. For example, you can import data from an Oracle data source into FileMaker Pro Advanced, or you can work with an Oracle data source interactively in the relationships graph and in layouts. See "FileMaker Pro Advanced as an ODBC client application," below.
FileMaker Pro Advanced includes all the software you need to share your database as a data source via ODBC and JDBC, including the client drivers you use to access your database from other applications. To share your FileMaker database file as a data source over a network, use FileMaker Server.
See Sharing FileMaker Pro Advanced data via ODBC or JDBC for information about enabling a database file for sharing.
For instructions on installing FileMaker ODBC client drivers, see FileMaker ODBC and JDBC Guide. For details about supported SQL statements, expressions, and Catalog functions, see FileMaker SQL Reference and FileMaker ODBC and JDBC Guide.
When you use FileMaker Pro Advanced as a client application, you must install and configure drivers for the ODBC data source you’re accessing. For example, to access data from an Oracle database using ODBC, you must install and configure an Oracle ODBC client driver. Third-party drivers are available from a number of vendors. For more information, see Configuring an ODBC client driver.
Note ODBC data sources are also referred to as external SQL sources (ESS).
See Accessing external data sources for information about:
•working with ODBC data sources interactively, in real time, in the relationships graph and in layouts. See Connecting to external data sources.
•importing ODBC data in batch operations by writing SQL queries. See Querying an ODBC data source from FileMaker Pro Advanced.
See the next section for an overview of using FileMaker Pro Advanced as a data source or as a client.
What do you want to do? | How do you do it? | See |
Use FileMaker Pro Advanced as a data source/share FileMaker Pro Advanced data | 1. ODBC and JDBC 2. SQL queries | |
Use FileMaker Pro Advanced as an ODBC client/access ODBC data | 1. Interactively via the relationships graph 2. One-time, static via ODBC import (or File menu > Open), also Import Records script step and Execute SQL script step |
Term | Description |
Database Management System (DBMS) | An application that allows users to store, process, and retrieve information in a database |
SQL | A standard programming language that controls and interacts with a DBMS |
Data source | The data you want to access (like a DBMS) and information to locate the data (like the path or IP address) |
Client application | The application that is requesting data (using SQL) from a data source using ODBC or JDBC |
Query | The retrieval, manipulation, or modification of data from a data source by sending SQL statements |
Table | A collection of data, similar to a table in a FileMaker Pro Advanced database file |
Column | An attribute in a table, similar to a field in a FileMaker Pro Advanced database file |
Row | A set of cells in a table, similar to a record in a FileMaker Pro Advanced database file |
ODBC driver | A DLL (Windows) or shared library (macOS) that sends an SQL query to access data stored in a database and delivers the requested data to the client application |
JDBC driver | A JAR (Java Archive) file that sends an SQL query to access data stored in a database and delivers the requested data to the client application |
Before you work begin working with ODBC data sources, do the following:
•Install the appropriate ODBC driver.
•Know the IP address or domain name of the ODBC data source or FileMaker Pro Advanced database.
•Know the user name and password for the ODBC data source as supplied by the database administrator.
The access that the database administrator provides determines whether you will be allowed read-write or read-only access.