Configuring an ODBC client driver
Whether you are importing ODBC data or working with ODBC tables in the relationships graph, as a client application, you must configure a driver for the ODBC data source you’re using. For example, if you will be accessing records from an Oracle database, you will configure an Oracle client driver.
The way you interact with the data source, provide a password, and perform and display query results varies with each application’s client driver. Additionally, data source configuration can vary from one ODBC driver manufacturer to another.
Data sources supported in FileMaker 13.0
You can use the following data sources in the FileMaker Pro relationships graph. If you are importing ODBC data, or using the Import Records or the Execute SQL script step, you can use additional data sources, such as IBM DB2 or Informix ODBC.
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Oracle 11g
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SQL Server 2008 R2
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SQL Server 2012
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MySQL 5.5 Community Edition (free)
For an overview of the various ways of working with ODBC data sources, see Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro.
Use the following procedure as a general guideline for configuring data sources (refer to the documentation that accompanies each data source application for details).
Windows
1.
Start the 32-bit ODBC Data Source Administrator by doing one of the following:
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32-bit Windows: In the Windows Control Panel, choose Administrative Tools > Data Sources (ODBC). Administrative Tools appear in the System and Security category.
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64-bit Windows: Double-click the odbcad32.exe file in the C:\Windows\SysWOW64 folder.
2.
Click the System DSN tab or the User DSN tab.
If your data source appears in the list, the driver is already configured. You can skip the remaining steps and begin accessing ODBC data, or choose your data source and click Configure to modify how you’ll interact with the data source.
A System DSN (data source name) is available to all users who log in to your computer. A User DSN is available only when you log in.
Important Only System DSNs are supported when you are working with ODBC tables in the relationships graph.
3.
Click Add to configure a driver for your data source.
A list displays all ODBC client drivers installed on your computer.
If no driver appears for the data source you want to use, you can use a driver from a third-party vendor.
To install a new driver, use the driver’s installation program.
4.
Choose the driver for the data source you’ll be accessing with FileMaker Pro, then click Finish.
A setup dialog box appears.
5.
For Name, enter descriptive text to identify the data source.
Many drivers also offer options to customize how you access a data source, such as identifying a particular data source file. Enter descriptive text, if desired.
6.
Click Finish.
7.
Click OK to save your data source information.
OS X
1.
Install the ODBC Manager from Actual Technologies, available at http://www.odbcmanager.net.
2.
Launch the ODBC Manager utility.
3.
Click the System DSN tab (or, for ODBC imports, click either the System DSN tab or the User DSN tab).
Important Only System DSNs are supported when you are working with ODBC tables in the relationships graph.
If your data source appears in the list, the driver is already configured. You can skip the remaining steps and begin accessing ODBC data, or choose your data source and click Configure to modify how you’ll interact with the data source.
A System DSN (data source name) is available to all users who log in to your computer. A User DSN is available only when you log in.
4.
Click Add to configure a driver for your data source.
A list displays all ODBC client drivers installed on your computer.
If no driver appears for the data source you want to use, you can use a driver from a third-party vendor.
To install a new driver, use the driver’s installation program.
5.
Choose the driver for the data source you’ll be accessing with FileMaker Pro, then click OK.
6.
In the configuration dialog box, click Continue.
7.
For Name, enter descriptive text to identify the data source.
Many drivers also offer options to customize how you access a data source, such as identifying a particular data source file. Enter descriptive text, if desired.
8.
Click Finish.
9.
Click Done to save your data source information.
After you have configured the driver, you can access records in your data source. See Connecting to data sources and Querying an ODBC data source from FileMaker Pro.
Notes
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ODBC Manager is a freeware product not supported by FileMaker.
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You may also use Apple’s ODBC Administrator Tool for OS X, available at http://www.apple.com/support.
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