Converting a data file to a new FileMaker Pro file
You can convert a data file from another application into a new FileMaker Pro file. FileMaker Pro imports the data and creates a new FileMaker Pro file. This converted FileMaker Pro file will contain:
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The data from the file or source you convert.
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Two layouts for displaying the data: a Standard Form layout and a List view layout.
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Converted field names if they are available in the file or source you convert. Otherwise, field names are generic: f1, f2, f3, and so on. (Field names convert from Bento, Microsoft Excel, FileMaker Pro, DBF, Merge, ODBC, and XML formats.)
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Converted field types (text, number, date, and so on) if they are available in the file or source you convert. Otherwise, all fields are text fields. (Field types convert from Bento, FileMaker Pro, Microsoft Excel, ODBC, DBF, and XML formats.)
For information on importing data into an existing file, see Importing data into an existing file.
Note  For information on converting Bento data into a new file, see Importing Bento data (Mac OS).
To import data into a new file:
1.
In the source application (the application from which you're importing data into FileMaker Pro), save the data you want to import in a file type that FileMaker Pro supports.
For a list of supported file types, see Supported import/export file formats.
2.
Use one of the following methods to open the data file:
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In FileMaker Pro, choose File menu > Open.
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In the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, click Convert an Existing File.
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Drag the data file onto the FileMaker Pro application.
3.
In the Create a New File Named dialog box or Open dialog box (Windows) or Open File (Mac OS) dialog box, for Files of type (Windows) or Show (Mac OS), specify the type of file (if needed), choose the file to convert, then click Open.
4.
If you see the First Row Option dialog box, choose whether the first row of data contains field names or the first record of data, then click OK.
5.
If you’re converting a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and the Specify Excel Data dialog box appears, choose a worksheet or named range from the workbook file, then click OK.
6.
In the Create a New File Named dialog box, type a name for the new file, choose a location, then click Save.
FileMaker Pro converts the data to a FileMaker Pro file and displays the file.
Notes
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If the file you’re converting is large, you may see an Importing dialog box that shows the progress of the import process. To stop importing, click Stop. However, FileMaker Pro still creates a file containing a partial set of the converted data.
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If you routinely import data from the same source, you can automate the process by setting up recurring imports. Data imported via recurring import is read-only in FileMaker Pro. For more information, see Setting up recurring imports.
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