Opening files with foreign system formats

Contents > FileMaker Pro basics > Managing files > Opening files with foreign system formats

Opening files with foreign system formats

When you create database files, FileMaker Pro uses your computer's system formats to determine how dates, times, and numbers display and sort. If you open or share a database file created with different system formats, you can use your computer's system formats or match the formats used when the file was created.

When you use the current system settings, you can enter and view data in a format that's familiar to you. For example, if a database was created in Australia, where dates are usually written day-month-year, and you open it in the United States, where dates are usually written month-day-year, FileMaker Pro alerts you that the system formats are different. Use the current system settings to enter dates as month-day-year. Otherwise, dates should be entered as day-month-year.

To use your computer's system formats: Choose Format menu > Use System Formats. Use System Formats appears in the Format menu when you open a file on a computer with different system formats or when you change system formats from what they were since the file was last opened.

The Use System Formats command doesn't interfere with any date, time, and number formatting you may have specified in Layout mode.

Note You can also set a data entry file option that determines what should occur when the system formats in a file differ from the operating system. For more information, see Setting file options.

To change your system formats:

Windows Vista and Windows XP: Use the Regional and Language Options control panel or the Date and Time control panel.

Mac OS: Use the International System Preference.

Click System's settings to use the new settings when you reopen the file.

Note A cloned database file inherits the system formats of the first operating system it is opened on. For more information, see Saving and copying files.

Related topics

Opening files

Closing windows and files

Closing files troubleshooting

Contents > FileMaker Pro basics > Managing files > Opening files with foreign system formats