David Schlachter1
Level 2 (436 points)

Q: AW to Filemaker

I have fought it as long as I could, but I am going to have to give up my Appleworks. 

I am not concerned about any data except for database files.  If I buy Filemaker Pro will I have any problem transferring data to that program from Appleworks?

 

Dave

Posted on Nov 22, 2013 5:47 AM

by Roger Wilmut1,Solvedanswer
Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1
Level 9 (78,493 points)
iTunes
A:

Not so much problems as a lot of work. You can't import AW databases directly into FMPro; you have to export from AW as ASCII text and then import that into FMPro. Of course in the process you will lose all your layouts, and calculation fields will come over as the result, not the calculation, so you will have a lot of reconstructing to do.

 

My page here has more info on the subject:

 

http://www.wilmut.webspace.virginmedia.com/notes/aw/page6.html

 

Once done, FMPro is well worth using. It can do a lot more than AW could, and is very scriptable (AW claimed to be AppleScriptable but in practice wasn't; Filemaker has its own internal scripting which is very powerful).

 

I'm still using FMPro 10 and found the 'Missing Manual' book for it extremely helpful; presumably they have one for the current version and I do recommend it as a reference.

Posted on Nov 22, 2013 8:15 AM

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David Schlachter1

Q: AW to Filemaker

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Roger Wilmut1,Solvedanswer

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Nov 22, 2013 8:15 AM in response to David Schlachter1
    Level 9 (78,493 points)
    iTunes
    Nov 22, 2013 8:15 AM in response to David Schlachter1

    Not so much problems as a lot of work. You can't import AW databases directly into FMPro; you have to export from AW as ASCII text and then import that into FMPro. Of course in the process you will lose all your layouts, and calculation fields will come over as the result, not the calculation, so you will have a lot of reconstructing to do.

     

    My page here has more info on the subject:

     

    http://www.wilmut.webspace.virginmedia.com/notes/aw/page6.html

     

    Once done, FMPro is well worth using. It can do a lot more than AW could, and is very scriptable (AW claimed to be AppleScriptable but in practice wasn't; Filemaker has its own internal scripting which is very powerful).

     

    I'm still using FMPro 10 and found the 'Missing Manual' book for it extremely helpful; presumably they have one for the current version and I do recommend it as a reference.

  • by Bob R,

    Bob R Bob R Nov 26, 2013 8:25 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 2 (339 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 26, 2013 8:25 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    I am also still using FMpro 10 & 11 versions. I host them on my iMac for several off site computers also using FM 10 & 11. I have not upgraded my iMac to Mavericks because last time I looked,  FM claims they are not supported. Are you using FM10 sucessfully with Mavericks?

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Nov 26, 2013 8:34 AM in response to Bob R
    Level 9 (78,493 points)
    iTunes
    Nov 26, 2013 8:34 AM in response to Bob R

    I'm still on Snow Leopard, so I can't help about FMP10 and Mavericks. For what it's worth, the RoaringApps compatibility site says that FMP10 works with Lion, Mountain Lion and Mavericks, that FMP11 appears to have problems in Mountain Lion (and appears not to have been tested in Mavericks) but that FMP12 works with all three. Filemaker themselves say that FMP10 has not been tested on Mavericks but that FMP11 doesn't work.

  • by Bob R,

    Bob R Bob R Nov 26, 2013 9:07 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 2 (339 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 26, 2013 9:07 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    Thanks for the info, guess I will stay with Mountain Lion. I have FMP11 on my iMac & have not seen any problems.