External SQL Data Source Overview

New with FileMaker 9, it is easy to create live connections to Microsoft® SQL Server, Oracle or MySQL data sources. 

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What is it?

The External SQL Data Source feature establishes a live two-way connection between FileMaker Pro 9 and top SQL data sources.

If you do not want a live connection, but wish to import or exchange data with a SQL data source, use the ODBC/JDBC features.

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Which external SQL data sources have been certified to work with this feature?

  • Microsoft® SQL Server 2000 and Microsoft® SQL Server 2005
  • Oracle 9g and Oracle 10g
  • MySQL 5.0 Community Edition (free)

At this time, these are the only SQL data sources that work with this feature.

FileMaker and MySQL are partners. Connect FileMaker and MySQL for easy, rapid database solutions.

 

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What does it allow you to do?

  • Create solutions in FileMaker Pro 9 that include data from:
    • An external SQL data source
    • Multiple external SQL data sources
    • FileMaker Pro and external SQL data source(s)
  • Provide an alternative to ODBC/JDBC for importing and exporting data from FileMaker Pro 9
  • Enable the use of FileMaker Pro 9 as a reporting tool for external SQL data sources
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Choose the FileMaker 9 product that is right for your needs

FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro Advanced

FileMaker Server and FileMaker Server Advanced

Great when you want FileMaker users to directly read and/or write data to a SQL data source.

You will need to have an ODBC driver for the SQL source configured on each client machine.

Great when you want all access to a SQL data source to flow through a single FileMaker Server.

Setup and configure the ODBC/JDBC driver once on the host computer.  All users share the connection to the SQL data source.
SQL with FileMaker Pro 9 and FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced SQL with FileMaker Server 9 and FileMaker Server 9 Advanced
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Before you get started

  • Install the appropriate certified ODBC driver.
  • Know the IP address or domain name of the external SQL data source.
  • Know the user name and password for the external SQL data source as supplied by the database administrator.  The access that the database administrator provides will determine if you will be allowed to read/write or if you will have read only access.
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Real-world use case examples

  • Streamlining sales processes

    • A sales force automation system, built on FileMaker Pro was importing order data from a SQL based enterprise finance system each night.  Order information available to Sales was up to 24 hours old.  When customers would call in, the salesperson was not always sure of the status of their order.  Using the External SQL Data Source feature, Sales will now see the orders the minute they are processed by Operations.  Customer satisfaction is up and sales are growing.

  • Better reporting

    • A company sells photographic equipment through an online web store.  Transaction data from the store is captured in a SQL database. However operations and management has a difficult time getting reports from the SQL database because it requires a programmer.  By providing a read-only link from FileMaker to the SQL database, employees in the company will be empowered to create their own reports.
    • Many bosses would prefer to receive reports via email in PDF or Excel format.  Using the External SQL Data Source feature, you can manipulate data from FileMaker Pro and external SQL data sources and then use PDF Maker or Excel Maker to email it to your boss in the format he or she prefers.

  • Enhanced workflows between departments

    • A human resources department, whose data is housed in a SQL data source, needs to link its processes with the finance department.  Using the External SQL Data Source feature, this information can be made accessible to knowledge workers who can build FileMaker Pro reports and solutions that meet the unique needs of their department and give the organization an edge over the competition.

  • More granular information

    • One federal department has nationwide information in a SQL database and local-level information in databases throughout the country.  Using the External SQL Data Source feature, the information in the local databases will be combined with information in the nationwide database for in-depth analysis.
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Resources

ODBC/JDBC Drivers

This feature requires that you use one of the certified drivers listed below.

  • Oracle

    • Microsoft® Windows: Oracle Database Client version 9.2.0.6.5
    • Windows: Oracle Database Client version 10.2.0.3.0
    • Mac OS X: Actual Technologies, Oracle version 2.7
      Download: EN, DE, ES, FR, JP

  • MS SQL Server

    • Windows Vista: Microsoft SQL Server version 6.00.6000.16386
    • Windows: Microsoft SQL Server version 2000.85.1117.00
    • Windows: Microsoft SQL Native Client 2005.90.3042.00
    • Mac OS X: Actual Technologies, SQL Server version 2.7
      Download: EN, DE, ES, FR, JP

  • MySQL

    • Windows: MySQL Connector/ODBC version 3.51.14
    • Mac OS X: Actual Technologies, Open Source Databases version 2.7
      Download: EN, DE, ES, FR, JP

Documentation and Notes

External SQL Data Sources: Chapter 5 of the FileMaker Pro 9 User’s Guide

Videos and Web Seminars

External SQL Data Source Video Tutorial

Search Knowledge Base

View a list of common External SQL Data Sources questions and answers