Open URL

Allows the user to open a URL.

See also 

Options 

  • With dialog specifies whether to display the "Open URL" Options dialog box when the script step is performed.

  • In external browser specifies whether to open the page in the external web browser (FileMaker Go only). When off, the page opens within FileMaker Go.

  • URL allows you to type the URL or to create your URL from a calculation.

Compatibility 

Product Supported
FileMaker Pro Yes
FileMaker Go Yes
FileMaker WebDirect Partial
FileMaker Server No
FileMaker Cloud No
FileMaker Data API No
Custom Web Publishing No

Originated in version 

6.0 or earlier

Description 

Open URL supports http, https, ldap, ldaps, ftp, file, mailto, fmp, and fmpXX URL types, using the application registered with the operating system for each URL type (or scheme). For example, if the URL starts with http, the FileMaker client opens the user's web browser and processes the URL.

If the specified URL contains spaces or other special characters, replace the characters with the corresponding encoded values required for valid URLs. For example, replace "@" with "%40".

The format of the fmp and fmpXX URL types to open FileMaker Pro files is described in Opening FileMaker Pro files using a URL.

Notes 

  • FileMaker WebDirect does not support the file scheme.

  • In macOS, to open a remote file using the file scheme, mount the remote volume first. Then start the path with file:///Volumes/ (not the host name or IP address) followed by the volume name: file:///Volumes/MyVolumeName.

Example 1 

Opens the user's web browser and displays the Claris International Inc. homepage.

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Open URL [With dialog: Off; "https://www.claris.com/"]

Example 2 

In Windows, opens Notepad and opens the file My_File.txt on the root level of the user's hard disk.

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Open URL [With dialog: Off; "file://c:/My_File.txt"]

In macOS, opens Preview and opens the file My_File.pdf in the Downloads folder of the user named username on the system hard disk.

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Open URL [With dialog: Off; "file:///Volumes/Macintosh HD/Users/username/Downloads/My_File.pdf"]

Example 3 

Launches the default email application, opens a new email, and uses the value in the Email field to address the message.

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Open URL [With dialog: Off; "mailto:" & Customers::Email]

Example 4 

Opens a shared FileMaker Pro file running on another system.

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Open URL [With dialog: Off; "fmp://account:password@host/database"]

Important  Account name and password information entered in an Open URL script step is visible to users with script editing access privileges, and is therefore not secure.

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