deanfromraymond
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Transferring data from Appleworks database to Filmaker Pro

It looks like I will have to face reality, and abandon my beloved AW databases.

 

In my databases, I am not using any calculation fields.  I use mostly text fields, checkbox fields, and the occasional number field.

 

Questions:

 

1) I am wondering how hard it will be to bring the data from a 200-record AW database into Filmaker Pro.

 

2) Once I get that done, will I still be able to search like I now do using the Find layout or the Match Records interface?  And sort field data alphabetically, etc.?  (One would hope so, for $300!)

 

Basically, I just record data, sort it, and sarch for it using various criteria.  Like: find records whose X Field is blank.  Or not blank.  Or contains a specific word or phrase.  Will Filemaker do this for me?  I have used the AW database ever since it was Claris Works; will the transition to Filemaker be very difficult?

 

I would appreciate any feedback from folks who have done this transition.  Please explain stuff in basic terms, as I am no techie.

 

Finally: I see that one vendor sells an "Academic Version" of Filemaker Pro 12 for only $165.  What is this version all about?  Maybe it's all I need?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Dean

Mail, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Nov 8, 2013 6:51 AM

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deanfromraymond

Q: Transferring data from Appleworks database to Filmaker Pro

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  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Nov 8, 2013 8:10 AM in response to deanfromraymond
    Level 9 (78,510 points)
    iTunes
    Nov 8, 2013 8:10 AM in response to deanfromraymond

    In order to transfer a database from AppleWorks to FileMaker Pro you have to export it as ASCII text. You can then import it into FileMaker Pro. Obviously though this will bring over the actual data, it will not bring over layouts nor calculation fields (you get the result of the calculation at the time of export) so in both cases you will need to recreate them.

     

    This page looks at the issue in a bit more detail:

     

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

     

    Basically you can do pretty well anything you can do in AppleWorks, plus a good deal more - there are some very advanced facilities. Also it's Applescriptable, which the AW database claimed to be but in practice it never worked. As you can see from the page, I managed to recreate a moderately complicated layout in FileMaker. It's a of work, and because the program is somewhat different and very powerful there's a steep learning curve. I recommend the 'Missing Manual' book on it - I have v10 and the book to match (so far I see no need to upgrade) - I found it extremely useful in threading my way through the complexities.

     

    As to your specific questions, yes, you can find fields which are empty, or not empty, or contain specific words or phrases - the search facilities are, again, very powerful.

     

    As to the 'Academic Version' I would have assumed that to buy this you have to be in further education or be a teacher/lecturer, and be able to prove it (unless they are selling it illicitly) but I can't answer that one specifically.

  • by deanfromraymond,

    deanfromraymond deanfromraymond Nov 8, 2013 8:34 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 8, 2013 8:34 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    Roger,

     

    That is extremely helpful.  Thanks so much.  I will study your page carefully.

     

    I have now downloaded a trail version of FileMaker, and so far, I have not been able to get the data to transfer in a way that makes any sense.  Entries are not lining up right.  I can understand that I need to create new field names in FM.  Fine.  But it seems like entries that were all in a specific field ought to come over and all land in the same field (in their respective records, of course).

     

    In fact, I have not even been able to copy a single word from from a cell in the AW db and paste it into one cell on the FM db!!  I can paste it on, say, a sticky note or wherever, just not into the FM db.  ???

     

    Obviously, I will need to play with this for a while, then ask you more when my questions can make more sense.

     

    Two questions for now, though:

     

    When I save the AW db as an ASCII file, it shows up with no file extension.  So I need to add one.  What is the correct extension?

     

    Also, is there any way to get this support forum to recognize me on this computer, and not require me to log in each time?

     

    In other words, let's start with the basics!

     

    Dean

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Nov 8, 2013 10:15 AM in response to deanfromraymond
    Level 9 (78,510 points)
    iTunes
    Nov 8, 2013 10:15 AM in response to deanfromraymond

    You need to create a blank database first with the appropriate fields. Then use File>Import>From file to import your ASCII file (I don't think it matters whether the extension is visible). Check that the fields match the fields in the new database.

     

    This forum will log you out if you close its window for more than a few minutes, or if you close the browser it will log you out immediately. I keep a window open most of the time so I can check back from time to time.