---
title: "GetPersistentData"
topic_type: "conceptual"
sections: ["Format", "Parameters", "Data type returned", "Originated in version", "Description", "Notes", "Example 1", "Example 2", "Example 3", "Related topics"]
locale: "en-US"
product: "FileMaker Pro"
doc: "Claris FileMaker Pro Help"
version: 22
version_year: 2025
url: "https://help.claris.com/en/pro-help/content/getpersistentdata.html"
id: "en/pro-help/getpersistentdata.md"
keywords: []
---
# GetPersistentData
Returns the persistent data value specified by name and instance ID.
## Format
```
GetPersistentData ( name ; instanceID )
```
## Parameters
`name` - a text expression that specifies the name of the persistent data entry.
`instanceID` - a text expression that identifies the specific instance of the entry. Must match the instance ID used when storing the data. Can be an empty string ("").
## Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container
## Originated in version
26.0
## Description
This function retrieves a value from the persistent data store by name and instance ID. The data type of the returned value matches the data type that was stored. See [About the persistent data store](https://help.claris.com/en/pro-help/content/about-persistent-data-store.html).
If no entry exists with the specified name and instance ID, this function returns "?".
## Notes
- Use [ListPersistentDataIDs function](https://help.claris.com/en/pro-help/content/listpersistentdataids.html) to find all instance IDs for a given name.
- If you specify `instanceID` as an empty string (""), this function looks for an entry with an empty instance ID.
## Example 1
`GetPersistentData ( "AppVersion" ; "" )` returns `2.1.0` if AppVersion was set with no instance ID as in Example 1 for the [Configure Persistent Data script step](https://help.claris.com/en/pro-help/content/configure-persistent-data.html).
## Example 2
Returns the specified entry or an empty JSON object as a default value when the specified entry isn't found.
```
Let (
config = GetPersistentData ( "com.claris.myaddon.settings" ; "38EA3124-9CFD-4490-A634-A0A72A613145" ) ;
If ( config = "?" ; JSONSetElement ( "" ; "" ; "" ; JSONObject ) ; config )
)
```
## Example 3
When setting the URL for a web viewer, retrieves a JavaScript library from the persistent data store. This approach keeps large JavaScript code out of your calculation formulas and makes it easier to update.
```
Set Web Viewer [ Object Name: "webviewer" ; URL:
"data:text/html," &
"\\\" &
"\\" &
""
]
```
## Related topics
- [Functions reference](https://help.claris.com/en/pro-help/content/functions-reference.html)
- [About formulas](https://help.claris.com/en/pro-help/content/formulas.html)
- [About functions](https://help.claris.com/en/pro-help/content/functions.html)
- [About the persistent data store](https://help.claris.com/en/pro-help/content/about-persistent-data-store.html)
- [Configure Persistent Data script step](https://help.claris.com/en/pro-help/content/configure-persistent-data.html)
- [ListPersistentDataIDs function](https://help.claris.com/en/pro-help/content/listpersistentdataids.html)