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XML Overview

Exchange data with open XML standards

Extensible Markup Language (XML) is the standard language for structured data interchange. Many organizations use XML to transfer product information, transactions, inventory data, and other business data. FileMaker Custom Web Publishing with XML allows you to exchange FileMaker data with other websites and applications. With XML you can leverage the structure of FileMaker Pro to access layouts, portals, and scripts. In addition, you can access all the data that exists on a particular layout, regardless of what table it is in.

Choose the product and feature that is right for what you want to do.

What do you want to do? Feature Name Product required

I want to import XML.

XML Data Source Import

FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Advanced

I want to export XML as FMPXMLRESULT or FMPDSORESULT grammar on an ad hoc or regular basis.

Export Records

FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Advanced

Using a URL, I want to submit a query and receive XML data using the FMPXMLRESULT or fmresultset grammar.

Custom Web Publishing with XML

FileMaker Server

Which grammar should I use?

  • The FMPDSORESULT grammar is useful for exporting databases that you want to format with cascading style sheets or XSL. This grammar is compatible with the Microsoft XML Data Source Object.

  • TheFMPXMLRESULT grammar contains additional information about the database that is not in the FMPDSORESULT grammar, such as the number of records, field types, and field formats. Use the FMPXMLRESULT grammar if you require the metadata information provided by this grammar.

  • The fmresultset grammar enables you to access fields by name and manipulate related set (portal) data. It is optimized for XSLT stylesheet authoring and is more verbose than the FMPXMLRESULT grammar.

When would I use XML instead of ODBC/JDBC to exchange data?

XML allows you to leverage the structure of FileMaker Pro to access layouts, portals, and scripts. In addition, you can access all the data that exists on a particular layout, regardless of what table it is in. 

Real-world use case examples

  • Data exchange with Photoshop, InDesign and other popular creative professional applications: Most design applications support XML. FileMaker Pro can be part of the creative workflow by using XML for data exchange.
  • Integration with enterprise systems: Many enterprise systems will allow queries that generate XML that can be imported into FileMaker Pro.
  • Interoperability with other web publishing frameworks: XML provides a way to connect to .NET.

Resources

Documentation and Notes