FileMaker 18 for macOS launched today, introducing a collection of feature enhancements like an improved user interface and a larger variety of security controls. FileMaker, Inc. is one of Apple's subsidiary companies and makes the FileMaker Platform, which allows developers to build custom apps.

filemaker 18
The company said that the new UI includes an "Import Field Mapping" dialog box, so that users can more easily map imported source data to FileMaker fields. Users can also use type ahead instead of drag and drop for greater efficiency, and specify custom delimiters when importing certain file types.

More new features include:

File-based script steps — Create scripts that read, write, and manage external data files to write log files or export data in a custom format. Replaces the need for many file-based plug-ins.

New managed security access — This new privilege set allows developers to offload account access management to other team members without needing to provide full access to any other parts of the file.

Manage Security dialog box — The streamlined Manage Security dialog box allows you to be more efficient in managing access to your custom apps.

Startup restoration — FileMaker files are now automatically recoverable after a hardware or software crash. The restoration log in FileMaker Server validates database entries when a file is first opened, before client access, and if the file had not been properly closed.

Platform parity — The FileMaker Cloud for AWS 1.18 code base supports all of the new features in the FileMaker 18 Platform.

The new security features allow developers to offload account access management to other team members without needing to provide full access to any other parts of the file, enhancing security of important files. This is combined with the Manage Security dialog box, which streamlines various security features and allows users to quickly manage access to custom access.

FileMaker 18 is available to download on the FileMaker store, with pricing beginning at $15 per user per month.

Top Rated Comments

rodpascoe Avatar
83 months ago
Considering how Apple has been trying to streamline their product offerings - outside of the core products - I’m wondering why they still spend $$$ on FileMaker. Is it really used anywhere now? I remember it as a database offering but if this is a “developer” product now, then maybe it should be offered as part of the developer tools... or offered to a third party... or canceled altogether.
Please tell me that was a joke/sarcastic post?!

Filemaker is a massive tool that's been going over 3 decades, brings in millions of dollars monthly for Filemaker with client licences, is used in over 70 percent of Fortune 500 companies, has over 65,000+ developers in their online community alone and has nothing in it's arena that comes close to competing with it.

You ask "is it really used anywhere now?" yes, yes it is. Have a look at becoming a Filemaker developer, they earn massive amounts of money.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Thomas beau Avatar
83 months ago
Considering how Apple has been trying to streamline their product offerings - outside of the core products - I’m wondering why they still spend $$$ on FileMaker. Is it really used anywhere now? I remember it as a database offering but if this is a “developer” product now, then maybe it should be offered as part of the developer tools... or offered to a third party... or canceled altogether.
The company I work for uses Filemaker for running the entire operation. I administer and develop on the platform daily. I also have some friends who work for a massive government contractor who has a very large Filemaker development department. It's not something you hear about everyday but it's still very much alive.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Boyd01 Avatar
83 months ago
I have used filemaker since it was first introduced. In 1993 I started developing a big relational database to run my department, and it grew in complexity until my retirement in 2011. At that point my custom filemaker apps managed all the purchasing, scheduling, payroll and contracting for my department's $2.5M budget.

Since 2008 I have used it for complex relational databases to process large amounts geodata for the free maps I offer at https://boydsmaps.com . There are other ways to do this, but I can work quickly due to my familiarity with Filemaker. I'm still on FileMaker 11 - which runs fine on my Mac and Windows machine(s), and it's hard for me to justify the expense of ugrading for this kind of "hobby" usage. But eventually, I will. So I'm glad to see that they continue to improve FileMaker. But I do wish it wasn't so expensive.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
harriska2 Avatar
83 months ago
I use it and love it. My husband uses it and loves it at his workplace. I agree that pricing and audience is moving towards less users and too expensive.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rsalas Avatar
83 months ago
Considering how Apple has been trying to streamline their product offerings - outside of the core products - I’m wondering why they still spend $$$ on FileMaker. Is it really used anywhere now? I remember it as a database offering but if this is a “developer” product now, then maybe it should be offered as part of the developer tools... or offered to a third party... or canceled altogether.
I have been developing in Filemaker since 1988 and it is a bona fide grown-up product. From concept to implementation there is nothing quicker or less costly for developing data management applications. It can be accessed from a Mac or a PC, via the web, and with an iOS app. It’s very much alive and viable.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lunarworks Avatar
83 months ago
Considering how Apple has been trying to streamline their product offerings - outside of the core products - I’m wondering why they still spend $$$ on FileMaker. Is it really used anywhere now? I remember it as a database offering but if this is a “developer” product now, then maybe it should be offered as part of the developer tools... or offered to a third party... or canceled altogether.
It's a subsidiary, so it doesn't take much of Apple's attention. If it continues to make money, may as well keep making it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 26's Liquid Glass Design Draws Criticism From Users

Wednesday September 17, 2025 2:56 pm PDT by
It's been two days since iOS 26 was released, and Apple's new Liquid Glass design is even more divisive than expected. Any major design change can create controversy as people get used to the new look, but the MacRumors forums, Reddit, Apple Support Communities, and social media sites seem to feature more criticism than praise as people discuss the update. Complaints There are a long...
iOS 26

iOS 26.1 to iOS 26.4: Here Are 5 New Features to Expect on Your iPhone

Tuesday September 16, 2025 11:17 am PDT by
iOS 26 was finally released on Monday, but the software train never stops, and the first developer beta of iOS 26.1 will likely be released soon. iOS 18.1 was an anomaly, as the first developer beta of that version was released in late July last year, to allow for early testing of Apple Intelligence features. The first betas of iOS 15.1, iOS 16.1, and iOS 17.1 were all released in the second ...
M6 MacBook Pro Feature 1

Apple's Rumored MacBook Pro Redesign: 6 New Features Anticipated

Wednesday September 17, 2025 4:26 am PDT by
Apple in October 2024 overhauled its 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, adding M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, Thunderbolt 5 ports on higher-end models, display changes, and more. That's quite a lot of updates in one go, but if you think this means a further major refresh for the ‌MacBook Pro‌ is now several years away, think again. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said he expects only a small ...
ios 26 liquid glass dark mode

iOS 26 Liquid Glass Design Makes App Icons Look Crooked, Report Users

Wednesday September 17, 2025 4:55 am PDT by
iOS 26's new Liquid Glass interface has been criticized for making some content illegible in certain circumstances, and now the UI design is reportedly causing another unusual visual problem for some users. Liquid Glass adds subtle glowing effects to the corners of app icons, creating a dynamic glass-like appearance with depth and parallax effects. However, as noted by Gizmodo, this design...
iOS 26 Glass Feature

iOS 26: The Top 100 New Features and Changes

Tuesday September 16, 2025 12:26 pm PDT by
Apple released iOS 26 on September 15, and it's now available for all iPhone users with a compatible device. There are a lot of changes and features to learn about, so if you want a quick, easy-to-read list that outlines what's new, we've got you covered. Design Liquid Glass design that reflects light and refracts what's underneath. It's system wide, with dynamic tab bars and toolbars...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 Get iOS 26 Features With New Firmware Update

Monday September 15, 2025 10:50 am PDT by
Apple today released updated firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4, introducing support for the new AirPods features that are included in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe. The firmware has a build number of 8A356, and it replaces the current 7E93 firmware. With Apple's new software updates, the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4 support better audio quality for phone calls and...
iOS 26

iOS 26.0.1 Coming Soon, Likely With iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Fix

Thursday September 18, 2025 9:17 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions. The update will have a build number of 23A350, or similar, the account said. It is likely that iOS 26.0.1 will fix a camera-related bug on the new iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. In his iPhone Air review, CNN Underscored's Henry T. ...