Opening files protected with passwords

When you attempt to open a protected file, you will need to enter one or more passwords and supply other information, such as an account name, in order to open the file.

  • When a file you are opening is hosted, you may see a lock icon that indicates the security level of the connection to the host. See About the security lock icons.

  • If you're prompted for a password but you believe the file doesn't have one, sign in with the Admin account and leave the password blank:

    Account Name: admin
    Password: <leave blank>

    To set a default account name and password for the file, see Setting file options.

  • Passwords are case sensitive. Account names are not case sensitive.

  • To authenticate using an Apple ID account or an account defined by an OAuth identity provider or Microsoft AD FS, click the button for the identity provider. When the sign-in webpage opens, enter your account credentials and follow the onscreen instructions. If the web browser remains in the foreground when finished, return to FileMaker Pro manually.

  • If an account name and password is entered automatically when you open a file but you want to enter different account information, hold down the Shift key (Windows) or the Option key (macOS) when opening the file. The Open Filename dialog box will appear and you can specify another account name and password. This works only for FileMaker file and external server accounts that don't use AD FS.

  • If you don't have an account, choose Guest Account if available.

  • If you don't know your account name and password, or you don't know the encryption password (if you see the Open Encryption Database dialog box), see your database administrator.