Top 10 New Features in Claris FileMaker 21.1 and How They Can Benefit Your Business

Top 10 New Features in Claris FileMaker 21.1 and How They Can Benefit Your Business

Kate Waldhauser November 6, 2024 API, Company News, Comparison, FileMaker, FileMaker 2024, Mobile, New Technology, News, Security, Tech review, Upgrade Comments (0)

We’ve got some very exciting news to share! The latest version of Claris FileMaker, 21.1 is now available, and it’s packed with some powerful features. The latest release of Claris encompasses updates to FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Server, and FileMaker Go for iPhone and iPad.

Although version 21.1 is a point release, don’t be fooled. This release is a big deal. In fact, a total of 309 issues addressed! Claris has put immense effort into improving PSR (Performance, security and reliability) and we are happy to see the results of this effort in the improvements in version 21.1.

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Claris FileMaker 21.1 includes support for Apple’s macOS Sequoia 15, iOS 18, and iPadOS 18, as well as compliance upgrades for essential integrations like OData API 4.01. These updates help the FileMaker platform to stay current with modern IT infrastructure, and provide an easy way to link FileMaker solutions with external platforms, ideal for businesses integrating complex systems.

As we started to review all the new features and enhancements in version 21.1, we decided to focus this blog post on our top ten features and how they can bring value to your business. Please read our next post which talks about the advantages of ExecuteSQL and how the new ExecuteSQLe function helps you return clear error messages.

And stay tuned to catch our in-depth interview with Lucy Chen, VP of FileMaker engineering, as she gives an under-the-hood look at the latest version. The FileMaker DevCast episode will be published soon!

And now, on to the Top Ten.

1. AI-Powered Semantic Search for Images

Just last May, FileMaker released version 21.0 which introduced support for AI capabilities into FileMaker. Adding upon the ability to perform semantic searches on text values, Claris FileMaker 21.1 now allows users to perform semantic searches across image data.

By using Cohere as a model provider and leveraging open-source models, FileMaker Pro users can now create embeddings for images and text, making it possible to search by similarity rather than relying solely on keyword matches. It’s now possible to search on container data, or even search with an image, as seen in the screenshot below.

A screenshot showing how AI semantic search can be used to search images with images,

BENEFIT:

Businesses with extensive media or libraries of container data can save time with more intuitive data retrieval.

For example, a company managing thousands of product images could search for visually similar items, helping catalog managers quickly locate and group products based on visual characteristics.

Semantic Search in Claris FileMaker 21.1 allows users to search for images using images.

2. Enhanced Data Security with HTTPS Tunneling

In FileMaker Server 21.1, HTTPS tunneling secures data transmission between FileMaker clients and servers, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected in transit. This feature was released for Linux in 2023, and is now available on both Windows and macOS. It allows admins to activate HTTPS tunneling from the Admin Console or use the Assisted Install.txt file for bulk configurations. For Windows servers, FileMaker Server can now utilize Nginx for HTTPS tunneling, making it highly customizable.

BENEFIT:

This enhanced security will appeal to IT Administrators, allowing them to take advantage of HTTP tunneling on any platform they choose.

By ensuring all data is encrypted in transit over a standardized port 443, and no longer requiring the use of port 5003, HTTPS tunneling can help users connect to FileMaker Server even in networks with strict firewall policies, as HTTPS traffic (port 443) is commonly allowed.

HTTPS tunneling through the FileMaker Server Admin Console makes it straightforward to enable secure, encrypted connections without the need for complex VPNs.

A screenshot of the Configuration tab in FileMaker Server 21.1, showing options for networking, HTTPS tunneling, and Nginx Web Server.

HTTP Tunneling Setting in FileMaker Server 21.1 available on Mac, Windows and Linux

3. Expanded Scalability and Interactive Capabilities for FileMaker WebDirect

FileMaker WebDirect now supports up to 1,000 concurrent users, significantly expanding capacity for organizations with high user volumes. Alongside this scalability, it also supports OnObjectKeystroke and OnLayoutKeystroke script triggers, adding flexibility for interactive web-based forms and data entry.

These triggers activate when users press Return, Enter, or Escape, allowing for responsive keystroke-based actions in WebDirect applications. Currently, the OnObjectKeystroke trigger is supported only on fields with an edit box control style, ensuring efficient data handling while maintaining control over supported input types.

A graphic showing report results - in numeric, pie chart, and bar graph for.

BENEFIT:

This enhancement allows businesses to create more dynamic and responsive web-based interfaces, enabling real-time data validation or action-triggering directly in FileMaker WebDirect.

The increased user support makes WebDirect a robust choice for companies needing to scale web access to their FileMaker applications, ideal for distributed teams, customer portals, or web forms.

4. Streamlined Script Defaults for Faster Development

FileMaker Pro 21.1 brings several updates to script step options, making the developer experience more efficient by setting commonly used defaults automatically. These enhancements reduce the need for repetitive adjustments, allowing developers to work faster and more intuitively.

Key updates include:

Go to Record/Request/Page and Go to Portal Row script steps now default to Exit after last = On, which aligns with typical scripting needs.
The With dialog option defaults to Off in most cases.
- Some exceptions apply for the With dialog setting, which remains On for specific steps such as Change Password, Delete Portal Row, Perform Find, Convert File, and Truncate Table.
The Create folders option, used in steps like Export Records and Export Field Contents, now defaults to On, ensuring a smoother and more efficient file-saving process.

Additionally, other default behaviors have been optimized:

Show/Hide Menubar: Now defaults to Hide
Show/Hide Text Ruler: Defaults to Show
Show/Hide Toolbars: Defaults to Hide, including the Edit Record Toolbar
Enable Touch Keyboard: Defaults to On
Undo/Redo: Defaults to Undo
Steps with options like Paste default to No style

BENEFIT:

These quality-of-life improvements reduce the need for repetitive script adjustments, making it easier to handle complex workflows. They enhance developer efficiency and simplify application maintenance.

5. “Open Quickly” Search to Simplify Custom App Navigation

The improved Open Quickly feature enhances navigation within custom apps by allowing developers to control user access to layouts, scripts, tables, fields, and table occurrences. With category headings, developers can quickly locate specific items. Full-access accounts can search all open files to manage elements across complex apps effectively.

Open Quickly is a powerful navigation tool and Claris has added the ability for developers to disable this feature for specified users.

BENEFIT:

For businesses with highly-customized apps that have many interconnected layouts and tables, the Open Quickly feature streamlines day-to-day usage and development.

By helping users find specific resources faster, it enables teams to operate with greater speed, supporting enhanced productivity and reducing the time spent navigating complex systems.

A gif showing the use of Command+K and Control+K in the new release of Claris FileMaker 21.1

6. Unlimited API Usage for Seamless Data Integration

FileMaker Server 21.1 removes the annual limits on FileMaker Data API as well as OData API usage, allowing businesses to perform unlimited data transfers and interactions with external applications. The latest update also provides full compliance with OData 4.01, a huge milestone and a compelling reason to start using the OData API.

BENEFIT:

Removing this data API call limit removes any obstacles businesses may have had in trying to use the FileMaker Data API within the limits.

A black gear graphic, with lines and nodes coming off of it, with the word API in the middle. At the left is a green rectangle with white lettering inside that says Unlimited.

7. Default Layout Themes for Consistent Design

FileMaker Pro 21.1 introduces the ability for developers to set default themes for layouts, ensuring a uniform look and feel across custom applications. This feature automates the design process by applying a chosen theme to new layouts, making it easier to maintain visual consistency throughout the system.

A screenshot from within FileMaker 21.1 showing theme management - listing the themes Universal Touch and Apex Blue, with Universal Touch highlighted.

BENEFIT:

For organizations that prioritize brand consistency and streamlined design, default themes simplify the creation of cohesive layouts.

This automation reduces the time spent on manual styling and ensures that new layouts align with the overall design standards, enhancing both user experience and data accuracy.

8. Only Open Last Opened Databases at Startup, for Ease of Use

A number of new options have been added to FileMaker Server’s Admin Console, making it easier for server administrators to manage multiple hosted files. One extremely useful feature is enabling “Only open last opened databases”.

Toggling this option will ensure only the set of databases that were last opened will be reopened upon a server restart. Check out the FileMaker Server release notes for more information on the many more new options for the FileMaker Server Admin Console.

BENEFIT:

This feature is particularly valuable for IT teams managing multiple databases, as it allows them to streamline organization and control over database resources.

With simplified file management, admins can minimize downtime and optimize system performance, supporting critical business operations more effectively.

A screenshot from within FileMaker Server 21.1, showing "Only open last opened databases" enabled.

9. Limit Access to the Same Host, for More Secure Systems

FileMaker Pro 21.1 introduces an important security enhancement that allows administrators to restrict access to specific files so that only external files hosted on the same server can connect. This limiting is done by selecting the All files must be on the same host option in the file’s security settings. This feature provides an additional layer of protection for sensitive data by ensuring that only authorized, co-located files are allowed to exchange information, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches.

Screenshot from within Claris FileMaker 21.1, showing options in File Access to require all files to be on the same host.

BENEFIT:

For organizations that deal with highly confidential or proprietary information, such as financial data or customer records, this added security measure is crucial.

By limiting access to files on the same host, businesses can significantly minimize their attack surface, ensuring that only trusted and securely managed connections are allowed within their FileMaker ecosystem.

This aspect is especially beneficial for enterprise environments where multiple FileMaker solutions are integrated and data privacy is a top priority.

10. Concurrent Backups for Improved Reliability

FileMaker Server 21.1 introduces the ability to schedule multiple backups to run concurrently, significantly enhancing data protection and system reliability. This feature ensures that essential data can be backed up efficiently without impacting server performance, making it easier to maintain continuous data availability.

BENEFIT:

For organizations with strict data compliance or disaster recovery requirements, such as financial or legal firms, concurrent backups offer greater peace of mind.

By allowing simultaneous backups, companies can safeguard their data more effectively, minimizing the risk of data loss during system updates or unexpected failures and ensuring business continuity.

A screenshot from within FileMaker Server 21.1, showing an option for parallel backups.

Interested in Trying Out FileMaker 21.1?

The latest is the greatest.

Discover the latest feature capabilities, performance enhancements, and security upgrades to the 2024 release of Claris FileMaker.

Artificial intelligence
More security, less hassle
Enhanced capabilities
Developer quality of life improvements.
Upgrades for better, faster apps.
Mobility

Review the Claris FileMaker 21.1 release notes.

Review the Claris FileMaker Server 21.1 release notes.

These FileMaker 21.1 Training Opportunities Await

Want to dive into the details? Join two upcoming Community Live: Claris FileMaker 2024 events to get to know the new features even better.

Enhancements for easier development
- Thursday, November 21, 2024 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
New semantic search on images
- Thursday, December 5, 2024 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Graphics advertising details about two Claris Community live events. One on 11/21/24 and one on 12/7/24.

Conclusion

The latest Claris FileMaker 21.1 release offers a range of new features designed to boost productivity, enhance security, and improve ease of use for businesses. As a Claris Platinum Partner, we are excited to see all the effort Claris is putting into improving the security, reliability, and performance of the Claris platform.

These enhancements and features will improve the quality of life of IT administrators, network administrators, developers, and FileMaker users. Contact us to discuss upgrading your solution to version 21.1, and to review which enhancements will prove beneficial for your company and staff.