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FileMaker 11 Whats New

FileMaker Pro 11 icon.

The new version of FileMaker 11 is another great release. Clearly this version embraces the user and ease of use. FileMaker has added more templates including a new Invoice template, improved the Quick Start dashboard, and provided more table view improvements. New users will be able to jump right in and start building a database.

QuickFind

The new QuickFind tool located in the upper right of the status toolbar provides users the ability to search the existing fields on the screen just like a Search Engine. Of course Find Mode is still in the product, though QuickFind is more intuitive to the masses and will help new users find their data.

FileMaker Charts

No longer do you have to look for a plugin or a creative way to add charts to your solution. Now FileMaker has added Line, Horizontal Bar, Pie, Area, and Vertical Bar charts natively to your application. Use the found set of records or the calculation engine to produce your charts.

Layout Management

Now we all can better organize our layouts just as we could with scripts. You can now create a layout folder and place your layouts in folders to better organize your system. When you have hundreds of layouts this is a very welcomed feature.

Inspector Palette

The new Inspector Palette is the biggest change to FileMaker 11 if you're a developer. The new Inspector Palette is now a floating dock with 3 tabs, Position, Appearance, and Data. What was once a small Object Info palette is now the Inspector Palette. This is now how you update all the properties of an Object.

Import Custom Functions

Yes, you can! You can now import or copy and paste your favorite custom functions from one FileMaker database to another. Though I welcome the ability to do the same with Value Lists. Maybe Value List importing will be available in FileMaker 12.

Windows 7

Yes, this version is fully compatible with Windows 7. FileMaker 10 while in Scripts could lead to crashes, this is now fixed.

FileMaker Server

FileMaker Server is now compatible with 64-bit Operating Systems. Though the software is still 32-bit, FileMaker Server is fully supported on a 64-bit OS by FileMaker.

FileMaker Server now includes the ability to restart the Admin Console without restarting the server. This is a welcomed addition.

Overall this version is a welcomed upgrade, providing new tools and an updated interface.

Did you know we are an authorized reseller for Claris FileMaker Licensing?
Contact us to discuss upgrading your Claris FileMaker software.

kevin hammond headshot.
Kevin Hammond

Kevin is CEO and Business Project Manager for DB Services. He also a founding member of the FileMaker Partner Council and certified in FileMaker 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, and 8. Kevin is passionate about FileMaker as a custom application platform and is constantly on a mission to improve how he approaches each assignment.