Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro

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a data source, sharing your database files with other applications on the same computer using ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) and JDBC (Java Database Connectivity). For example, you can create charts, analyze numbers, and generate reports using FileMaker Pro data in other applications. See “FileMaker Pro as a data source,” below.

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an ODBC client application, interacting with data sources on the same computer or over a network. For example, you can import data from an Oracle data source into FileMaker Pro, or you can work with an Oracle data source interactively in the relationships graph and in layouts. See “FileMaker Pro as an ODBC client application,” below.

FileMaker Pro includes all the software you need to share your database as a data source via ODBC and JDBC, including the client drivers you use to access your database from other applications. To share your FileMaker database file as a data source over a network, use FileMaker Server Advanced.

See Sharing FileMaker Pro data via ODBC or JDBC for information about enabling a database file for sharing.

For details about supported SQL statements, expressions, Catalog functions, and client drivers, see the FileMaker ODBC and JDBC Guide. You can view this manual by choosing Help menu > Product Documentation > ODBC and JDBC Guide.

When you use FileMaker Pro as a client application, you must install and configure drivers for the ODBC data source you’re accessing. For example, to access data from an Oracle database using ODBC, you must install and configure an Oracle ODBC client driver. Third-party drivers are available from a number of vendors. For more information, see Configuring an ODBC client driver.

What do you want to do?	How do you do it?	See	Products
Use FileMaker Pro as a data source/share FileMaker Pro data	1. SQL queries 2. JDBC	FileMaker ODBC and JDBC Guide	FileMaker Pro/ Pro Advanced and FileMaker Server Advanced only
Use FileMaker Pro as an ODBC client/access ODBC data	1. Interactively via the relationships graph 2. One-time, static via ODBC import (or File menu > Open), also Import Records script step, Execute SQL script step	FileMaker Pro Help	FileMaker Pro/ Pro Advanced, FileMaker Server/Server Advanced

What do you want to do?

How do you do it?

See

Products

Use FileMaker Pro as a data source/share FileMaker Pro data

1. SQL queries

2. JDBC

FileMaker ODBC and JDBC Guide

FileMaker Pro/ Pro Advanced and FileMaker Server Advanced only

Use FileMaker Pro as an ODBC client/access ODBC data

1. Interactively via the relationships graph

2. One-time, static via ODBC import (or File menu > Open), also Import Records script step, Execute SQL script step

FileMaker Pro Help

FileMaker Pro/ Pro Advanced, FileMaker Server/Server Advanced

Term	Description
Database Management System (DBMS)	An application that allows users to store, process, and retrieve information in a database
SQL	A standard programming language that controls and interacts with a DBMS
Data source	The data you want to access (like a DBMS) and information to locate the data (like the path or IP address)
Client application	The application that is requesting data (using SQL) from a data source using ODBC or JDBC
Query	The retrieval, manipulation, or modification of data from a data source by sending SQL statements
Table	A collection of data, similar to a table in a FileMaker Pro database file
Column	An attribute in a table, similar to a field in a FileMaker Pro database file
Row	A set of cells in a table, similar to a record in a FileMaker Pro database file
ODBC driver	A DLL (Windows) or shared library (Mac OS) that sends an SQL query to access data stored in a database and delivers the requested data to the client application
JDBC driver	A JAR (Java Archive) file that sends an SQL query to access data stored in a database and delivers the requested data to the client application

Term

Description

Database Management System (DBMS)

An application that allows users to store, process, and retrieve information in a database

SQL

A standard programming language that controls and interacts with a DBMS

Data source

The data you want to access (like a DBMS) and information to locate the data (like the path or IP address)

Client application

The application that is requesting data (using SQL) from a data source using ODBC or JDBC

Query

The retrieval, manipulation, or modification of data from a data source by sending SQL statements

Table

A collection of data, similar to a table in a FileMaker Pro database file

Column

An attribute in a table, similar to a field in a FileMaker Pro database file

Row

A set of cells in a table, similar to a record in a FileMaker Pro database file

ODBC driver

A DLL (Windows) or shared library (Mac OS) that sends an SQL query to access data stored in a database and delivers the requested data to the client application

JDBC driver

A JAR (Java Archive) file that sends an SQL query to access data stored in a database and delivers the requested data to the client application