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Almost exactly 18 months since the release of FileMaker 9, FileMaker Inc. released version 10 on January 5, 2009. Sporting a new interface on the main screen, gone is the old status area, replaced with a new customizable Status toolbar across the top of the screen. According to FMI, the toolbar has been redesigned to allow the user to perform common tasks with the fewest mouse clicks.
Browse Mode
Layout ModeAnother new feature that changes the look of FileMaker is the sub-summary reports in Browse Mode. This allows you to design reports that group the data while you browse it, rather than having to print it first. The two screen shots below are from the same layout but the data is sorted differently.
Some users may find the new layout themes and starter solutions give their databases an updated look. The old themes are still available, but are thankfully sorted to the bottom of the list. The pictures below show the main screen of the business contact management sample file and a new layout using the “Breeze” layout theme.
Getting data in and out of FileMaker has also been updated, by adding the new Excel file formats and Bento support.
In order to manipulate the view of your data, you can take advantage of the new Saved Finds feature allowing you to choose recent searches, or to name frequently used searches. Finding omitted records (swapping the found set) is now much easier by clicking the new found set pie chart in the Status toolbar. Ever wanted to add another field to a table view? That’s now done by modifying the view and adding it via a dialog rather than having to edit the layout.
Perhaps the most talked about feature among developers is the new script trigger ability. This will allow database designers to trigger the execution of scripts at a specific time interval, or when the user makes a manual change to the view or to data. Triggers can be defined on specific objects or on the layout itself.
Finally, the ability to send email directly to an email server using SMTP means not having to rely on so-called “robot” machines that use email clients. This allows much more automated functions to be carried out, and can also be integrated with scheduled scripts in the new FileMaker Server 10. (Speaking of FileMaker Server 10, we’ll have more on that product in our next issue.)
It’s nice to see the interface finally get an overhaul, but hopefully FileMaker Inc. won’t stop there. After getting used to the new buttons it should be a better experience. Here at CoreSolutions, we’re looking forward to using this new version of FileMaker; there’s a lot to play with for both developers and users alike.
