Create live connections to SQL data sources with FileMaker Pro Advanced
What is it?
The External SQL Data Source feature establishes a live two-way connection between FileMaker Pro Advanced and top SQL data sources.
If you do not want a live connection, but wish to import or exchange data with a SQL data source, use the ODBC Overview
What external SQL data sources are certified for FileMaker 19?
- Microsoft SQL Server 2017
- Microsoft SQL Server 2016
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014
- MySQL 5.7.21 Community Server 5.7.21
- Oracle Database 11g Release 2
- Oracle Database 12c Release 1
- Oracle Database 12c Release 2
- IBM Db2 for i 7.3 (via Actual ESS Adapter)*
- IBM Db2 Version 11.1 (via Actual ESS Adapter)*
- PostgreSQL 9.6.12 (via Actual ESS Adapter)*
*Not supported in FileMaker Cloud
For the list of external SQL data sources that are certified for all versions of FileMaker Pro Advanced, click here.
If you are importing ODBC data, or using the Import Records or the ExecuteSQL script step, you can use additional data sources, such as IBM DB2 or Informix ODBC. ODBC Overview
What does it allow you to do?
- Create custom apps in FileMaker Pro Advanced that include data from:
- An external SQL data source
- Multiple external SQL data sources
- FileMaker Pro Advanced and external SQL data source(s)
- Provide an alternative to ODBC/JDBC for importing and exporting data from FileMaker Pro Advanced
- Enable the use of FileMaker Pro Advanced as a reporting tool for external SQL data sources
Choose the FileMaker product that is right for your needs
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FileMaker Pro Advanced
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FileMaker Cloud/FileMaker Server
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Great when you want FileMaker users to directly read and/or write data to a SQL data source.
You will need to have an ODBC driver for the SQL source configured on each client machine.
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Great when you want all access to a SQL data source to flow through FileMaker Cloud or FileMaker Server.
Setup and configure the ODBC/JDBC driver once on the host computer. All users share the connection to the SQL data source.
 
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Before you get started
- Install the appropriate certified ODBC driver.
- Know the IP address or domain name of the external SQL data source.
- Know the user name and password for the external SQL data source as supplied by the database administrator. The access that the database administrator provides will determine if you will be allowed to read/write or if you will have read only access.
Real-world use case examples
Streamlining sales processes
- A large entertainment company creates an executive iPad dashboard that tracks sales, expenses, development pipeline, and licensee information for a range of products. Information is assembled from a variety of data sources including Oracle and SAP. Executives are presented with charts and graphs, can view summary reports, and can drill-down into data for particular initiatives. Information is available on iPad and also on computers.
Better reporting
- A company sells photographic equipment through an online web store. Transaction data from the store is captured in a SQL database. However operations and management has a difficult time getting reports from the SQL database because it requires a programmer. By providing a read-only link from FileMaker to the SQL database, employees in the company will be empowered to create their own reports.
- Many bosses would prefer to receive reports via email in PDF or Excel format. Using the External SQL Data Source feature, you can manipulate data from FileMaker Pro Advanced and external SQL data sources and then use PDF Maker or Excel Maker to email it to your boss in the format he or she prefers.
Enhanced workflows between departments
- A human resources department, whose data is housed in a SQL data source, needs to link its processes with the finance department. Using the External SQL Data Source feature, this information can be made accessible to knowledge workers who can build FileMaker reports and solutions that meet the unique needs of their department and give the organization an edge over the competition.
More granular information
- One federal department has nationwide information in a SQL database and local-level information in databases throughout the country. Using the External SQL Data Source feature, the information in the local databases will be combined with information in the nationwide database for in-depth analysis.
Resources
ESS (ODBC/JDBC) Drivers
This feature requires that you use one of the certified drivers listed below.
Oracle
| For Oracle Database 11g R2 on Windows use: | Oracle Database Client version 11g R2 |
| For Oracle Database 12c R1 on Windows use: | Oracle Database Client version 12.2.0.1.0 |
| For Oracle Database 12c R2 on Windows use: | Oracle Database Client version 12.2.0.1.0 |
| For Oracle Database 11g R2, Oracle Database 12c R1, and Oracle Database 12c R2 on macOS use: | Actual Technologies, Oracle version 4.2.0 |
Microsoft SQL Server
For Microsoft SQL Server 2014
Microsoft SQL Server 2016
Microsoft SQL Server 2017 on Windows use: | Microsoft SQL Server Native Client version 17.5.1.1 |
For Microsoft SQL Server 2014
Microsoft SQL Server 2016
Microsoft SQL Server 2017 on macOS use: | Actual Technologies, Microsoft SQL Server version 5.0.8 |
MySQL
| MySQL Community Server 5.7.21 on Windows use: | MySQL ODBC 8.0 Unicode Driver version 8.0.19 |
| MySQL Community Server 5.7.21 on macOS use: | Actual Technologies, Open Source Databases version 5.0.8 |
IBM iSeries Access
| IBM Db2 for i 7.3 (AS/400) on Windows, use: | Actual ESS Adapter version 1.2.3 with IBM iSeries Access ODBC Driver 13.00.01.00 |
IBM DB2
| IBM for DB2 11.1 on Windows, use: | Actual ESS Adapter version 1.2.3 with IBM DB2 ODBC Driver 10.05.800.381 |
PostgreSQL
| For PostgreSQL 9.6.12 on Windows, use: | Actual ESS Adapter version 1.4.0 with PostgreSQL ODBC Driver (Unicode) 9.03.04.00 |
| For PostgreSQL 9.6.12 on macOS, use: | Actual ESS Adapter version 1.2.3 with Actual Technologies ODBC Driver for Open Source Databases 5.0.8 (PostgreSQL) |
FileMaker Pro 19 and FileMaker Server 19 support 64-bit ODBC drivers. Older versions versions of FileMaker Pro Advanced support 32-bit and 64-bit ODBC drivers.
