ISO FileMaker Magazine: FileMaker Video Tutorials, Templates, Help & More

This past Tuesday the 10th, FileMaker Inc. released it’s latest version of FileMaker Pro. Version 9 has a variety of new features, some big, some small. When it comes to the big ones, there are essentially four big with the rest having less significance(1).

Big Feature #1

The biggest of these features is the ability to connect to SQL data sources. You’re able to interact with a SQL database just like any other table in your database.

Adding a new SQL connection is a simple matter of adding a new External Data Source. From that point forward you can use the reference within your Relationship Graph just like any other normal table occurrence.

One thing you’ll need to do first, however, is set up the right database connection. This is going to require the use of third party drivers. Depending on the database you’re connecting to, the drivers and setup will vary.

Here are the SQL databases which are supported (taken from FileMaker’s help)

• Oracle 9g
• Oracle 10g
• SQL Server 2000
• SQL Server 2005
• MySQL 5.0 Community Edition (free)

Too bad they aren’t supporting MySQL 4. There are a ton of Open Source systems out there running MySQL 4.

For more info you can visit the FileMaker site covering SQL information.

Big Feature #2

The second big feature is called Conditional Formatting. It allows you to conditially control (using the standard calculation dialog box) the way any text is formatted when viewed in Browse mode.

This includes both fields and text labels. This is a nice new feature and there are a few things you can do with it. If you need to know more tips about using it then Geoff Coffey has posted a number of great tips at his new website.

Big Feature #3

Biggie number three would be Auto-Resizing of layouts. This feature, coupled with biggie number four, are the two reasons I would at least upgrade to FileMaker 9 Advanced - even if you’re stuck using FileMaker 8 or 8.5 for all your clients.

Auto-resizing of layouts is the feature many people have been asking for for year and years. It’s long overdue and it’s a great reason to upgrade(2). It works just like it sounds. It allows you to create layouts which dynamically resize.

Big Feature #4

Number four on the list is a complete overhaul of ScriptMaker. You’re now able to keep the ScriptMaker window open and also open as many script windows as you desire. For this one feature alone I would SERIOUSLY upgrade your copy of FileMaker Advanced. This is a HUGE time saver.

It takes a bit to get used to leaving script windows open when you’re working/debugging a script, but it eventually becomes second nature. I’ll provide more info about using the new ScriptMaker in a future video. Also of note are the changes to the Data Viewer, which now shows you all active global variables, where a dual pane Data Viewer shows you global variables and your own specified watched variables.

Overview

Overall, if you’re not using SQL, then the Conditional Formatting is a nice feature to have - but not a requirement in most cases. The ability to resize layouts may be something you can go without but designing them in 9 is the route I would suggest - even if you’re still using an earlier version.

If you can’t afford to upgrade right away, then get 9 Advanced so you can work with the new features and have them ready for when you can upgrade. One of the nice things about working in the latest version of FileMaker is that the file format stays the same going back to FileMaker 7. If using the Conditional Formatting or Auto-Resizing layouts is something you can’t live without then go for it.

There are a number of other smaller features in the application - plus some function additions. One function in particular that I’ve been wanting for a while is the ability to specify the temporary path on the client machine. Here is the list of new functions and script step changes

Functions

• Acos (number)
• Asin (number)
• Get (HostApplicationVersion)
• Get (TemporaryPath)
• Self

Script step changes

• Refresh Window: new Flush cached SQL data checkbox
• Save as PDF: new Append to existing PDF checkbox
• Open File: Added ODBC Data Source option
• Close File Added ODBC Data Source option
• Undo: Renamed to Undo/Redo with new Toggle option

One final feature I’ll mention is the “Automatically check for updates every 7 days” checkbox found in the application preferences. While I’m personally not that proactive about finding new versions of software, this is going to be a great way to know when FileMaker has been updated.

More info to come…

Notes

(1) A certain “feature” may be significant to you, such as being compatible with Windows Vista or the ability to Append to PDF. While useful, these may not be major features. Fortunately, you’re able to discern this from the content above. As I was instant messaging with a fellow develoepr friend, talking about the feature list that FileMaker Inc. provides, I think the marketing for features got a bit ahead of itself. Chat Quotation: “Feature? Works with Windows Vista… Uh, Yeah, I think you would want it too, not a feature.” (Don’t expect me to sugar coat things. ;)

(2) When I mention upgrading, I’m not necessarily talking about upgrading all of your copies. My position is that you can develop using FileMaker 9 Advanced and you’re files should work fine in FileMaker 8 or 8.5 and even 7 if you go back that far. The features you use in 9 won’t work in the earlier versions - but your files will be ready for the when you can afford to upgrade. Just be careful and don’t make your solution dependent upon features from a version which your clients can’t support. In other words, if you’re using FileMaker 8 don’t use variables because your clients will need to use global fields!