Before you begin
Welcome to Claris® FileMaker Pro™, which helps you quickly create custom apps that work seamlessly across iPad, iPhone, Windows, Mac, and the web.
For information about new and changed features in FileMaker Pro, see Help.
About this guide
This Installation Guide tells you how to install FileMaker Pro on your Windows or Mac computer. Unless noted otherwise, the information in this guide pertains to both platforms.
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Where to find FileMaker documentation
For the most up-to-date version of this guide and other FileMaker® product documentation, see the Product Documentation Center.
For late-breaking information and release notes about FileMaker Pro, see the Knowledge Base.
Customer Support, Knowledge Base, and Community
- For help with installing, starting, or reinstalling FileMaker Pro (excluding data recovery), in FileMaker Pro, choose Help menu > Service and Support or visit Support.
- For tips, technical advice, and more information about FileMaker Pro, visit the Knowledge Base.
- To ask questions and get advice from other users, in FileMaker Pro, choose Help menu > Claris Community or visit the Claris Community.
Information in the Knowledge Base and the Claris Community may not be available in all languages.
Product notifications
FileMaker Pro automatically checks for software updates and upgrades to new software versions. You can update your software with minor changes when you receive the update notification, or by choosing Help menu > Check for Updates. (You cannot upgrade your software for new and changed features this way; see Upgrading FileMaker Pro from a previous version.)
You can turn off notifications by choosing Edit menu > Preferences (Windows) or FileMaker Pro menu > Preferences (macOS).
About the license certificate file or license key
Depending on how you purchased FileMaker Pro software, you received either a license certificate file or a license key.
License certificate (.fmcert) file: This file is available for you to download, depending on how you purchased the software.
- If you purchased FileMaker Pro as a download from the Claris Store website, you received an email with a link to your Electronic Software Download page. Your license certificate file is available from that page.
- If you signed up for a Claris FileMaker Cloud® subscription or free trial, this file is available from the Subscription page in Claris Customer Console.
- License key: If you purchased a boxed version of FileMaker Pro, your unique, 35-character license key is in the box.
You must have a valid license certificate file or license key to install the software. Otherwise, you can install the software only as a trial. Don't lose your license certificate file or license key; keep it in a safe place in case you need to reinstall the software.
Backing up your FileMaker Pro download
Make a backup copy of your FileMaker Pro software download in case you need to reinstall the software. See this article in the Knowledge Base.
Requirements for features
Some features of FileMaker Pro require additional software.
| Feature | Software requirement |
|---|---|
| Send Mail script step using an email application | A supported email application. See FileMaker Pro technical specifications. This requirement does not apply to SMTP mail. |
| Phone dialing (Windows only) | Phone dialer or other Telephony API (TAPI) compliant software. |
| ODBC and JDBC features | FileMaker ODBC and JDBC drivers, which are available in the xDBC folder in the installation disk image and at Updates and release notes. macOS: ODBC Manager, a freeware product from Actual Technologies. See FileMaker ODBC and JDBC Guide and Help. |
Converting the trial version to the full version of FileMaker Pro
If you've installed the FileMaker Pro trial version on your computer, you can convert to the full version of FileMaker Pro by providing your license certificate file or license key without uninstalling the trial version first. See Help.
Upgrading FileMaker Pro from a previous version
If you are upgrading FileMaker Pro from a previous version of FileMaker Pro, upgrade to the new version before uninstalling the previous version.
- Install the upgrade using your license certificate file (or license key, if you purchased a boxed version). See About the license certificate file or license key.
- Move plug-ins, dictionary information, and your preferences to the new version of FileMaker Pro. See the Knowledge Base.
- If you plan to use only the latest version, uninstall the previous version.
If you purchased a boxed, upgrade version of FileMaker Pro and choose to uninstall the previous version before upgrading to the latest version, make sure you have the license key for the previous version. When you install FileMaker Pro with an upgrade license key, if a previous version isn't installed, you are asked to enter the license key for the previous version of the product.
Opening files from previous versions
Files created by any version of FileMaker Pro since version 12 are in the FileMaker Pro 12 file format (FMP12) and have the filename extension .fmp12. To use files created with versions earlier than 12, you’ll need to convert them to the FMP12 format. See Help.
Automating the installation process
If you’re installing FileMaker Pro on multiple computers (as allowed by your FileMaker Pro software license) or if you want to do a silent installation, you can automate the process. Use the file, Assisted Install.txt, to keep user interaction to a minimum. See FileMaker Pro Network Install Setup Guide. For information on licensing, visit our website.
Installing FileMaker Pro in Windows
For late-breaking information and release notes about FileMaker Pro, see the Knowledge Base.
Before you install
- Exit other open programs and save your work.
- Check that your computer meets the system requirements and has the required Windows updates installed. See FileMaker Pro technical specifications.
- FileMaker Pro installs required Microsoft software components if they’re not already installed. The Microsoft installers require internet access to download the necessary files. Therefore, on some computers, installing FileMaker Pro may require an internet connection.
- To install FileMaker Pro, you must have Windows administrator privileges and use an administrator account and password.
- If your computer is running virus protection software, turn it off before you install FileMaker Pro, and then turn it back on afterward.
- During installation, you can choose whether to install all program features (complete) or portions of the program (custom). For example, you may choose not to install certain features in order to save disk space.
- A complete install installs FileMaker Pro in the language version you choose at the start of installation. You can install additional language versions by choosing a custom install, then selecting other language packs from the list of supported languages.
- You can also install FileMaker Pro by using the command line and remotely using a networked volume. See FileMaker Pro Network Install Setup Guide.
Default installation location
By default, FileMaker Pro is installed in the following folder:
C:Program FilesFileMakerFileMaker Pro 19
During the installation you can choose a different drive or folder.
Installing FileMaker Pro
You must use the installation program to install FileMaker Pro—you can’t install FileMaker Pro by dragging files to your hard disk.
See Before you install.
Download Filemaker Pro 12 Advanced Mac Download
- After downloading the file for FileMaker Pro, double-click the installation icon (.exe file).
- Follow the onscreen instructions.
If you have problems installing or starting FileMaker Pro, visit Support.
About installing Bonjour
The Bonjour service enables automatic discovery of computers, devices, and services on your local network.
If Bonjour is not installed or the service is not running, FileMaker Pro can’t discover remote hosts on your local network. Without Bonjour, you must manually enter the host names or IP addresses for remote hosts on your local network.
If the installer doesn't detect a supported version of Bonjour, it prompts you to install Bonjour.
If you need to install Bonjour manually:
- Open the FileMaker Pro installation folder.
- Open the Files folder, then open the Bonjour folder.
- Double-click the Bonjour64 (64-bit) icon.
- Follow the onscreen instructions.
Uninstalling, modifying, or repairing FileMaker Pro
You can use Settings in Windows to uninstall FileMaker Pro, replace missing or corrupt files, or change which features are installed. When you repair FileMaker Pro, you may be prompted to provide your license certificate file or license key.
Installing FileMaker Pro in macOS
For late-breaking information and release notes about FileMaker Pro, see the Knowledge Base.
Before you install
- Check that your computer meets the system requirements. See FileMaker Pro technical specifications.
- To install FileMaker Pro, you must have macOS administrator privileges and use an administrator account and password.
- If your computer is running virus protection software, turn it off before you install FileMaker Pro, and then turn it back on afterward.
- FileMaker Pro uses the same language as the current macOS system language. To change the language, use System Preferences and restart FileMaker Pro.
- You can also install FileMaker Pro remotely using Apple Remote Desktop. See FileMaker Pro Network Install Setup Guide.
Installing FileMaker Pro
See Before you install.
- After downloading the file for FileMaker Pro, double-click the disk image icon (.dmg file).
- Drag the FileMaker Pro application to the Applications folder shortcut.
- In the FileMaker Pro License dialog box, click Enter License. Then do one of the following:
- Install the license certificate: Click Browse, navigate to the license certificate file, then select the file.
- Enter the license key.
See About the license certificate file or license key.
If you have problems installing or starting FileMaker Pro, visit Support.
Running FileMaker Pro on Mac computers with Apple silicon
Starting with version 19.3.1, FileMaker Pro is a Universal macOS app, which takes advantage of the advanced capabilities of Mac computers with Apple silicon and also runs on Intel-based Mac computers. By default, the app runs using the code that's optimized for the type of Mac.
If you use FileMaker plug-ins or ODBC client drivers, by default, only versions that are designed to run on Mac computers with Apple silicon will work with FileMaker Pro. To get versions that support Apple silicon, contact the developer of the plug-in or ODBC driver.
However, if on a Mac with Apple silicon, you plan to use Intel-based versions of FileMaker plug-ins or ODBC client drivers, you must set FileMaker Pro to open with Rosetta 2. (Rosetta 2 is the macOS translation technology that enables apps designed for an Intel-based Mac to run on a Mac with Apple silicon.)
To run FileMaker Pro in Rosetta 2:
- Quit FileMaker Pro.
- In Finder, open the Applications folder, then select FileMaker Pro.app.
- Choose File menu > Get Info.
Select Open in Rosetta to run FileMaker Pro as if on an Intel-based Mac.
Clear this option to run on Apple silicon.
- Start FileMaker Pro.
Uninstalling FileMaker Pro
- Drag the FileMaker Pro application from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Drag the FileMaker Pro preferences file to the Trash:
<home>/Library/Preferences/com.filemaker.client.pro12.plist
After installing FileMaker Pro
Where to go from here
After you've installed FileMaker Pro, you can immediately begin working with the application. Here are some suggestions on how to get started.
Download Filemaker Pro 12 Advanced Machine
- To view self-paced video tutorials on building custom apps, visit the Custom App Academy (may not be available in all languages).
- To explore the FileMaker Pro predesigned apps, which are designed to help you manage common business and personal tasks, in FileMaker Pro, choose File menu > Create New.
- To display the Product Documentation Center for downloading other guides, in FileMaker Pro, choose Help menu > Product Documentation.
- For comprehensive information and step-by-step procedures about using FileMaker Pro, in FileMaker Pro, choose Help menu > FileMaker Pro Help.
- For additional training material, visit our website.