FileMaker 18 for macOS Launches With Improved UI and More Security Controls

Wednesday May 22, 2019 9:02 AM PDT by Mitchel Broussard
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.


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.

Tag: FileMaker
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rodpascoe
9 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.
Rating: 6 Votes
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Thomas beau
9 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.
Rating: 5 Votes
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Boyd01
9 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.
Rating: 4 Votes
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harriska2
9 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.
Rating: 4 Votes
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rsalas
9 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.
Rating: 4 Votes
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lunarworks
9 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.
Rating: 2 Votes
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harriska2
9 months ago
I did database development and sql/plsql with Oracle for 8 years. I still love FMP. MS Access? Won’t touch it.
Rating: 1 Votes
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pruppert
9 months ago
Popped in here to see the community reaction to FileMaker. Happy to see so many positive posts. I too develop and use FileMaker daily to run my business. Don’t know what I’d do without it. It’s so great.
Rating: 1 Votes
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FoxyKaye
9 months ago
Former FileMaker administrator here - it was always better than Access, and I can still remember when 4.0 was a BIG DEAL. Nice to see it still around!
Rating: 1 Votes
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Boyd01
9 months ago

Do I understand correctly that I can’t use the new version on all my computers, as I currently do?


That part is very clear on the FileMaker website: https://www.filemaker.com/purchase/store/faq-individuals.html

"FileMaker Licensing for Individuals lets you license FileMaker Pro Advanced for a one-time charge per computer. Each computer requires a separate license."

I thought the whole point of the developer version was that you could make standalone apps? Don't know for sure though, because my old version of Filemaker can't do that.

As for the rest, assuming that your computer can still run an operating system that supports your version of Filemaker, just get an external SSD and install that operating system on it. You can then boot from the external drive to use FileMaker. I have a SSD with Mountain Lion for the times when I need some other very expensive legacy software. You can get a 250gb Samsung T5 for about $100 for example.
Rating: 1 Votes
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