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Network Sharing

Imagine everyone being able to access the same information at the same time.  It's safe and easy with FileMaker Pro.

If your computers are connected to a network, you and other Windows and Mac users can access the same database file simultaneously. And with the powerful security model in FileMaker Pro, you can determine what users can do and see.

Download the chart to determine what type of software and hardware you need

Then, follow these 3 easy steps to share your database.


  FileMaker Pro in peer-to-peer mode FileMaker Server

Step 1.  Protect your database

Databases can contain information from the most simplistic to the highly confidential. Before you share your data, you should determine what level of security is needed for the database. To learn more, read Protecting databases with accounts and privilege sets. Make sure the host computer is physically secure and has scheduled regular back-ups.  Do not backup your database files while they are open.

Databases can contain information from the most simplistic to the highly confidential. Before you share your data, you should determine what level of security is needed for the database. Read Protecting databases with accounts and privilege sets to learn more. Make sure the host computer is physically secure and has scheduled regular back-ups.

Step 2.
Set up your database for sharing

To host a database so other users can access it:

  1. The application should be setup for Network Sharing.  Choose FileMaker Pro> Sharing > FileMaker Network.  Change Network Sharing to “On”.
  2. The database must be enabled for network sharing.
  3. The first person to open it, the host, must open it with an account that has manage extended privileges access privileges. The database must be open on the host computer and that computer must be accessible to the employees that need to access the file.
  4. To learn more, read Opening files as a host.

To host a database so other users can access it:

  1. The database must be enabled for network sharing.
  2. Upload the database to FileMaker Server using the Upload Database Assistant.

Step 3.  Share your database

Open the database with FileMaker Pro.  Choose File > Send Link.  This will create an email with a hyperlink to your database that you can send to all of your users.

Open the database with FileMaker Pro.  Choose File > Send Link.  This will create an email with a hyperlink to your database that you can send to all of your users.

Resources

Documentation and Notes

Search Knowledge Base

View a list of common network sharing questions and answers.

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