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Advantages of ExecuteSQL + Get Clear Error Messages with ExecuteSQLe

FileMaker’s ExecuteSQL function has been available for quite some time and is a powerful tool in your developer's tool kit. While FileMaker’s native relational model is simple and intuitive, the ExecuteSQL function introduces an additional level of flexibility, enabling developers to access data across tables without creating extra table occurrences or relationships. The recent release of FileMaker 21.1 represents a significant enhancement to SQL functionality with the new ExecuteSQLe function. One of the biggest limitations has been addressed - error reporting. Unlike ExecuteSQL, ExecuteSQLe provides the return of clear error messages, enabling developers to troubleshoot queries much more effectively. If you’ve been frustrated with ExecuteSQL’s cryptic “?” symbol, ExecuteSQLe’s feedback is a welcome change. Read more
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The Importance of Test Data in FileMaker Solutions and FM-Backed Web Apps

Your data is valuable and protecting it is vital in terms of legal obligations, your business reputation, competitive advantage, and more. The importance of test data in FileMaker is a discussion worth having when starting a new project or updating your solution. One easily overlooked area of data protection is the security of your data in the development and test versions of your solution, whether a FileMaker solution or a web application. While your live production data may be carefully secured, the copy of the data made for testing, especially if residing on an outside server, may not be safe. Read more
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How To Update an Existing Add-On While Preserving Data

Screenshot from within layout mode of a FileMaker file, showing the dialog for installing new add-ons or choosing existing ones.
We recently released an updated version of our free FileMaker logging add-on, available in the Claris Marketplace, and some of you had questions about updating your existing add-on. You wondered if you needed to completely remove the first version before installing the second. And you wondered how you would protect your data during that process. So we put together this outline to assist. Read more
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Key Benefits of Modernizing Your Very Old FileMaker Solution

Photo of a modernized FileMaker solution being used on a laptop and large monitor.
We recently enjoyed the opportunity to help one of our clients, a landscape architecture firm, navigate the complex process of upgrading their FileMaker database from an antiquated FileMaker 5.5 platform to the modern FileMaker 2024.Here’s a closer look at their journey, challenges, and successes of updating their old FileMaker system. Read more
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Boost Performance by Transferring FileMaker Containers to Amazon S3

Logos of Claris FileMaker and Amazon S3 on a blue background.
We recently migrated two FileMaker solutions from internally stored containers to AWS S3 cloud storage, so naturally, we thought to document the experience for others who might be considering the same option. As one would expect, there were a few unknowns going into this project, so our goal with this article is to provide some pointers and documentation for future reference. Read more
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Make Gains with a Professional Third-Party Software Evaluation

Photo of three smiley faces on yellow paper - one said, one neutral, one happy. With the happy face highlighted by a magnifying glass.
If you already use  FileMaker Pro and the Claris platform for managing your custom database and workflow automation, you are aware of the key role it plays in making your processes more efficient and your firm more profitable.  To ensure it operates at peak performance, however, a professional third-party evaluation can be invaluable. This article discusses the process we use for this kind of evaluation, which will hopefully shed some light on this valuable endeavor. Read more
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