FileMaker has been missing a looping control structure in its function set for…well…a while. So, the introduction of FileMaker 18’s While() function is less a fancy new feature than it is a fix for a long standing limitation in FileMaker’s function set.
Continue reading “We’ve been waiting for While()… for a while”
Combining functions, features, or steps in creative new ways can deliver productive results. I was thrilled to discover in FileMaker 18 that the new file-based script steps give us the ability to perform imports natively on FileMaker Server, with no configuration or changes needed.
Continue reading “Imports without Tariffs. Natively, with FileMaker Server.”
Well, here we are again! With the release of FileMaker 18 we get the third version of the FileMaker Data API. This version brings an iterative advancement in features while maintaining the core functionality that was introduced with V1 of the API in FileMaker Server 17.
I’m following suit with an iterative advancement of my previous blog posts about the Data API (here and here).
NOTE: We’ve updated this series of blog posts and demo files to cover FileMaker 19:
Using REST and cURL with FileMaker 19’s Data API Continue reading “Using REST and cURL with FileMaker Server 18’s Data API”
Anyone who has used FileMaker will be familiar with the powerful import abilities the platform has. Being able to quickly and easily ingest comma- or tab-delimited data and Excel files makes merging multiple data sources into a single cohesive application pretty convenient. However, the import UI that has existed for the platform over the last decade (maybe longer) is cumbersome and often downright frustrating. This is especially the case when trying to import many columns and match them to fields with different names than the source.
“Hey Siri…Ask FileMaker…”
This story started when we explored iOS Shortcuts to the FileMaker Data API. As we continue to automate tasks by mixing together iOS apps, content on mobile devices and web APIs plus FileMaker, let’s add to our workflow using one of the most powerful functions available to iPhone and iPad users: Siri.
Continue reading “Using Siri with FileMaker, via iOS Shortcuts”
Shortcuts, on iOS, are a new way to automate tasks by mixing together apps, content on your iOS device and web APIs into custom workflows. Now, via the FileMaker Data API, you can use shortcuts as a way to interact with your FileMaker solutions.
Here’s an example of automatically uploading a photo from your iPhone into a FileMaker container field, via iOS shortcuts to the FileMaker Data API.
A colleague recently posed this challenge: is it possible to show two columns in a portal, such that the first row displays records 1 and 2, the second row displays records 3 and 4, etc.? With FileMaker, the answer is usually “Yes!”
Introducing Admin FM – the Zapier integration for accessing the FileMaker ® Admin API in an easy, customizable way. Built using Node.js, this version of Admin FM is currently a beta version, but it allows you to access most of the functionality that the FileMaker Admin API allows.
Continue reading “Introducing Admin FM – the FileMaker Admin API for Zapier”
We are pleased to release bBox version 0.93, including new FileMaker script steps and web viewer functions. bBox is a free utility plug-in to extend FileMaker solutions to easily use code libraries and macOS-based functions from Python, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, AppleScript, Bash/sh, XPath, and SQLite. Also included is a demo file that has over 210 examples of how you can put bBox functions to work for you.
Once you have crafted a Tableau dashboard, pulling data from your FileMaker solution, then your next goal might be to make sure the dashboard data gets refreshed at regular intervals, and in an efficient manner. And that is what we’ll do in this blog post.
Continue reading “Tableau to FileMaker | Scheduled Extracts”
We support quite a few macOS systems that are bound to an AD (Active Directory) domain. Occasionally, one, two, or perhaps several would lose the ability to authenticate users with AD credentials. Often this was with one of the FileMaker Servers, where external authentication was being used for either user access or FMS Admin Console access. I’ve explored ways to fix this, without restarting or disrupting other services.
Continue reading “AD-bound macOS systems not authenticating? Restart opendirectoryd”
For awhile we’ve been asked: “Can you use Apple Maps inside FileMaker, rather than using Google Maps or MapQuest?” We decided to give it a shot, thanks to MapKit JS, the JavaScript implementation of the MapKit library widely used on macOS and iOS. Here is a technique our FileMaker and JavaScript development teams designed to enable Apple Maps inside a FileMaker solution.
We are pleased to release bBox version 0.90. bBox is a free utility plug-in to extend FileMaker solutions to easily use code libraries and macOS-based functions from Python, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, AppleScript, Bash/sh, XPath, and SQLite. Included is a demo file that has over 200 examples of how you can put bBox functions to work for you.
Now that the FileMaker Data API has been officially released (with FileMaker 17), it is time to share an update on Tableau-to-FileMaker integration. I originally wrote about integrating Tableau and FileMaker to create a match made in data heaven. I’ll also be speaking on “FileMaker + Tableau” at FileMaker DevCon 2018.
Continue reading “FileMaker to Tableau | The Learning Journey”
The Beezwax Team is in Dallas, Texas on August 6-9, 2018 for the FileMaker Developers Conference. DevCon is always a perfect time to wrangle the best FileMaker insights, training, and connections across the global FileMaker developer community in attendance.
Continue reading “FileMaker DevCon, with a capital “D””
If you have a FileMaker server that you want to ensure high availability, Amazon’s AWS Route 53 service has some functionality that you’ll want to know about. For this post, I’m going to show how you can set up monitoring and alarms for the XML interface on FileMaker Server.
Continue reading “Monitor FileMaker Server XML connectivity with AWS”
We’re pleased to announce two Beez who have earned the title of FileMaker 17 Certified Developer.
Christopher and Vince are among the first developers to receive this designation since FileMaker 17 Certification was announced last week.
Continue reading “Our First FileMaker 17 Certified Developers”
I’m always excited each time the FileMaker Platform gets new capabilities. It isn’t just the new features on their own that make things interesting, but what happens to the platform as a whole which provides for some interesting and inspiring innovations. In this case, it is a new way to do transactional record editing in FileMaker. This is the first in a multi-part series on this topic.
Continue reading “How Transactional is the FileMaker Data API?”
Way back when FileMaker 14 was released, as developers we were treated to the new-and-improved script workspace, adding all kinds of features from line breaks to auto-complete/type-ahead coding. To any of us who spend most of our day working in FileMaker, the response was sheer joy.
For all of its speed, flexibility, and ease-of-use, sometimes our favorite platform is missing some of those “standard”, quality-of-life features you would expect. For a long time, Layout mode has been lacking a few key features you would normally expect to see in a modern design application. With FileMaker 17, we get much closer to bridging that gap, receiving a whole bunch of handy, time-saving features along the way. Let’s dive in and take a look.
Continue reading “Lost in Layout Space: Getting to Know FileMaker 17’s Layout Mode”
One of the most exciting new features of FileMaker 17 isn’t part of the product, technically: it’s a command line function called the Data Migration Tool. You invoke it from the terminal, but don’t let that fool you. This is a uniquely powerful tool, one that honors the pitfalls of developing in a hosted, high-trafficked app — finally.
The Data Migration Tool allows you to merge two files, so you can develop in an offline copy and then migrate the live system into your improved app. Migration includes user accounts, value lists, serial numbers and of course data, all at once.
Continue reading “FileMaker Data Migration Tool – New Ways To Code In Complex Environments”
