Open File
Purpose 
Opens the specified FileMaker file or allows the user to select a file to open.
Format 
Open File [Open hidden; “<filename>”]
Options 
 •
Open hidden causes FileMaker Pro to open and hide the specified database.
 •
Specify lets you select a FileMaker Pro database or ODBC data source to open. Choose Add FileMaker Data Source or Add ODBC Data Source to locate and select a file. After you select a file, it is added to the Specify Table list. Choose Manage Data Sources to modify or delete a data source you’ve already added to the list.
Compatibility 
 
Where the script step runs 
Supported 
FileMaker Pro 
Yes 
FileMaker Server scheduled script 
No 
FileMaker Go 
Yes 
Custom Web Publishing 
No 
FileMaker WebDirect 
No 
Runtime solution 
Partial 
Originated in 
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier
Description 
For ODBC data sources, this script step re-establishes a link to the ODBC data source.
Script steps after Open execute in the FileMaker file that contains the script, not the file opened by the script.
If you don't specify a file, FileMaker Pro displays the Open File dialog box when the Open File script step executes so that the user can specify a file. The Open File dialog box will also be displayed if the file used in the script has been moved, deleted, or renamed.
Notes
 •
If new database creation has been disabled in your installation of FileMaker Pro, it will not be possible to convert file types such as Microsoft Excel or tab delimited files into FileMaker Pro databases. However, you can still import the data from other file types into FileMaker Pro (if you open the database with a password that allows you to import). If you need more information, contact your system administrator.
 •
In runtime solutions, the Open File script step returns an error if an external file is not bound to the solution.
 •
This script step is unable to open a file from an unauthorized file.
 •
If the specified file is opened then hidden by FileMaker Pro, scripts that are set to run upon opening are still executed.
Example 1 
Exports records from the current database, opens the Invoices Backup database, and runs the Import Invoices script from the Invoices Backup database.
Export Records [ ]
Open File ["Invoices Backup"]
Perform Script ["Import Invoices" from file: "Invoices Backup"]
Related topics 
Convert File
Script steps reference (alphabetical list)
Script steps reference (category list)
Working with data sources
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