Publishing databases on the web

You can display your databases on the web in a variety of ways. This makes your data:

  • available to many people who are using a compatible web browser anywhere in the world. (You can, however, restrict access to files.)
  • accessible from many locations—for example, while traveling or working remotely.

There are three ways to publish your data.

  • FileMaker WebDirect: If you host files with FileMaker Server or FileMaker Cloud, you can use FileMaker WebDirect to quickly and easily publish layouts from your database on the web. You don't need to install additional software—anyone with compatible web browser software and access to the internet or an intranet can connect to your FileMaker WebDirect custom app to view, edit, sort, or search records, if you give them access privileges. With FileMaker WebDirect, data in the web browser updates automatically as FileMaker Server or FileMaker Cloud pushes data to the web browser. You can use additional software to perform additional tasks (for example, to configure a firewall to secure your network). See Publishing databases with FileMaker WebDirect.
  • Static publishing: If your data rarely changes, or if you don't want users to have a live connection to your database, you can use static publishing. With static publishing, you export FileMaker Pro data to create a webpage that you can further customize with HTML. The webpage doesn't change when information in your database changes, and users don't connect to your database. See Publishing data on static webpages.
  • Custom Web Publishing: If you host files with FileMaker Server, you can use the Custom Web Publishing technologies for more control over the appearance and functionality of your published database.

    With XML and PHP, you can:

    • integrate your database with another website
    • determine how users interact with data
    • control how data displays in web browsers

    See FileMaker Server Custom Web Publishing Guide.

Alternatively, you can use the FileMaker Data API to allow web services to access data in files hosted by FileMaker Server or FileMaker Cloud. See FileMaker Data API Guide.