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Opening files protected with passwords

When you attempt to open a protected file, a dialog box prompts you to specify an account name and password in order to open the file. You may also be able to open the file by using Guest Access if privileges for the file are configured to permit it.

To open a file protected with passwords:

1.	Open the protected file as you would any other FileMaker file.

For more information, see Opening files.

2.	In the Open Filename dialog box, enter your account name and password.

If you don’t know your account name and password, see your database administrator. If you don’t have an account, click Guest Account if available.

3.

Click OK.

Notes

•	Passwords are case-sensitive. For example, if your password is zFootBallz, FileMaker Pro will not accept zfootballz. If you’re having trouble entering a valid password, make sure the Caps Lock key on your keyboard is disabled.

•	Account names are not case-sensitive. For example, if your account name is Chris, you can successfully open the file by entering chris or CHRIS as the account name.

•	FileMaker Pro may display a Change Password dialog box when you try to open a protected file. You can also change your password whenever you want if your privileges permit it. For more information, see Changing your password for a file.

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Mac OS: You can prevent the Open Filename dialog box from appearing each time you open a protected file by adding your account name and password to your keychain. To add your account information to your keychain, open the file, click Add to Keychain in the Open Filename dialog box, enter the account name and password you want to store, and click OK. For more information about the keychain, refer to Mac OS Help.

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If you are assigned an account that uses the Full Access privilege set, you can prevent the Open Filename dialog box from appearing each time the file is opened by designating a default account name and password to automatically use when opening the file. For more information, see Setting file options.

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If an account name and password is entered automatically when you open a file but you want to enter different account information, hold down the Shift key (Windows) or the Option key (Mac OS) when opening the file. The Open Filename dialog box will appear and you can specify another account name and password. (Note: This method does not work on Mac OS with account information stored in your keychain. Instead, use the Keychain Access application to delete the appropriate FileMaker Pro password item from your keychain. Then open the file.)

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If you try to access a protected file through a file that’s not authorized to access that file, you are asked if you want to authorize the file now. Click Yes to authorize the file. If you click Yes but are not logged in to the files with Full Access privileges, you must then enter an account with Full Access privileges.