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
63 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
63 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
63 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
63 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
63 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 $$$ on FileMaker. Is it really used anywhere now? I remember it as a database offering but if this is a “developer” product now, then maybe it should be offered as part of the developer tools... or offered to a third party... or canceled altogether.
I have been developing in Filemaker since 1988 and it is a bona fide grown-up product. From concept to implementation there is nothing quicker or less costly for developing data management applications. It can be accessed from a Mac or a PC, via the web, and with an iOS app. It’s very much alive and viable.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lunarworks Avatar
63 months ago
Considering how Apple has been trying to streamline their product offerings - outside of the core products - I’m wondering why they still spend $$$ 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

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
iOS 17 Passkey With Apple ACCOUNT Feature

'Apple ID' Expected to Change to 'Apple Account' Starting With iOS 18

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:13 am PDT by
MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to rebrand "Apple ID" to "Apple Account" across its software platforms and websites like iCloud.com as early as this year, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has corroborated this change. A mockup of the new Apple Account branding In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new "Apple Account" branding will start to be used later this...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

iOS 17.4.1 Update for iPhone is Imminent

Monday March 18, 2024 5:27 am PDT by
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. ...
M3 iPad Feature 3

New iPads Likely to Begin Shipping in April

Monday March 18, 2024 9:52 am PDT by
Apple's new iPad Pro models with OLED displays will likely begin shipping to customers in April, according to information shared today by Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also said the new iPad Pro models might not ship until "deeper" into April in his Power On newsletter on Sunday:I've repeatedly said that new...