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Editor's picks

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  Filemaker Pro 11

  Software (FileMaker)
  

  Rating (17 reviews):

  (4.1/5)

  

  A VERY Worthwhile Upgrade...

  I am the Senior FileMaker Pro Developer at a major American university/medical school, where we have integrated FileMaker Pro and Oracle-based products to manage the vast amounts of clinical data collected for our cancer research center. We've recently started testing FileMaker Pro 11 in our environment, and have so far been very impressed with the new features and enhancements I've encountered.Here are a few notable things I've encountered:CHARTINGThis long-overdue feature alone justifies the upgrade price! In the past, creating a simple chart in FileMaker Pro has been a complex process involving byzantine workarounds and/or expensive plug-ins or services. Now you can create dynamic charts which key off table data, found-set data, or related data. The new feature supports bar, line, area, and pie charts. I looking forward to seeing more chart types in future releases.SUMMARIZED DATA ON TABLE LAYOUTSThis feature greatly increases the... 5/5 Adam Parker (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews, May 3, 2010

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  FileMaker Pro v11; the Flamethrower!

  I have been using the Mac since 1984, and the original FileMaker was the first software I ever purchased. The evolution of FileMaker to FileMaker Pro has been smooth and seamless. My move into FMP v11 was prompted by my purchase of an iMac with the Snow Leopard OS.I use FMP for everything, including checking accounts, bookkeeping, client records, sales, any kinds of lists that may require sorting (by name, by phone number, by ZIP code, etc.) I also use FMP extensively for my preparation to announce the Reno Championship Air Races each September:Reno sends me an EXCEL spreadsheet with all the competitors' information, such as aircraft and type, class, pilot's name and home town, alternate pilot's name, color, race number and sponsor information. There is much more info I don't really need. I can import the file into FMP, sort it by aircraft race class, then I can output each record in race-number order as a list in a particular format, in this case, into 2" by... 5/5 Frank K. Smith "One FIne Announcer" (Scottsdale, AZ) - See all my reviews, July 6, 2010

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  FileMaker 11 ... Good value and upgrade to a solid product

  FileMaker 11 is a solid release that builds on the foundation laid by FileMaker 10. Many of the features specifically allow developers to create better databases more easily. Some of the biggest new features include:* Built-in charting tools.* Quick reports using table view.* Miscellaneous development interface enhancementsHere's a run down of each feature in some detail...* New Quick Start Screen - Along the right side are tutorials and resources for beginners. Favorites and recently opened databases are easier to get to.* Inspector "Gadget" - One major change to the interface for developers is the use of "the inspector" palette. Similar to many other "modern" applications such as Adobe CS and Microsoft Office, FileMaker now has opened up many of the features previously hidden in dialog boxes into a palette they call the inspector. This takes a little getting used to, but once you've become accustom to the change, it's difficult to go... 5/5 Tim Cimbura "Technology Guru and Child at Heart" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews, April 23, 2010

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  List Price: $299.00
  

  Get step-by-step reporting tools to help manage and automate tasks--even easily create and email reports in Excel or PDF

  Build a database tailored for your unique needs--get started by just dragging and dropping Microsoft Excel data into FileMaker Pro

  Get over 30 professionally designed templates to help manage your tasks in minutes

  FileMaker Pro 11 is the leading, easy-to-use database software to help you quickly manage & securely share information through a network or over web

  Safely share with both Windows and Mac users, plus over a network with up to 9 other users;

  Securely publish your databases to the web in a few clicks

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  FileMaker Pro 11: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals)

  Book (Pogue Press)
  

  Rating (25 reviews):

  (4.2/5)

  

  review: Filemaker Pro 11: the missing manual

  Conflict of interest disclosure: O'Reilly Media provided me a free copy of FileMaker Pro 11: The Missing Manual for the purposes of the review.Last month I tried out Filemaker Pro 11 (the program) and had a two-word summary: way cool. This month's review of Filemaker Pro 11: The Missing Manual has an even more succinct one-word summary: oh, as in "oh, that's how that works" or "oh, that's what that means".Stuart and Gripman know how to write. And they understand Filemaker and they understand that not every user was born speaking database-ese. Databases think and operate in ways that normal people don't; much as I like Filemaker Pro and much as I like to think I know what I'm doing, it can be a tricky program - and apparently I've learned to do many tasks the hard way. The manual is well-written, in clear, plain English. It's great at explaining what Filemaker is doing under the hood and is even humorous, without being silly. And the authors also commiserate... 5/5 lwakus "lwakus" (anchorage, ak) - See all my reviews This review is from: FileMaker Pro 11: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals) (Paperback) Conflict of interest disclosure: O'Reilly Media provided me a free copy of FileMaker Pro 11: The Missing Manual for the purposes of the review.Last month I tried out Filemaker Pro 11 (the program) and had a two-word summary: way cool. This month's review of Filemaker Pro 11: The Missing Manual has an even more succinct one-word summary: oh, as in "oh, that's how that works" or "oh, that's what that means".Stuart and Gripman know how to write. And they understand Filemaker and they understand that not every user was born speaking database-ese. Databases think and operate in ways that normal people don't; much as I like Filemaker Pro and much as I like to think I know what I'm doing, it can be a tricky program - and apparently I've learned to do many tasks the hard way. The manual is well-written, in clear, plain English. It's great at explaining what Filemaker is doing under the hood and is even humorous, without being silly. And the authors also commiserate... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , July 19, 2010

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  Maybe It's Just Me

  I'm sorry. Maybe it's just me. But I find the book mysterious and hard to follow. Perhaps the book would be easier to understand if I already understood FileMaker. The book starts off telling me how to find things apparently not realizing that I have no idea what I am supposed to be looking for. Some of the exercises simply don't work (The Format Painter on page 125). It seems that some apparently basic database subjects are covered after more esoteric concepts are introduced. The book would be more helpful to me if simple ideas were introduced first, and then developed. Very frustrating. 3/5 S. Burman "canyonlight" (Page, Arizona) - See all my reviews, August 14, 2010

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  Essential resource for using FileMaker Pro

  FileMaker Pro is considered to be the easiest to use of relational databases - and it is. It is also one of the most capable and powerful databases - and if you want to access that power, it is one of the most complex. That's why this book has 869 pages of text, including 7 pages of error codes. You'll never see most of these error codes, but the sheer number of them should give you an idea of just how complex FileMaker Pro can be. This book truly lives up to the premise of the missing manuals series: "the book that should have been in the box". FileMaker Pro provide s extensive online help facility, but it is often terse and lacking in examples. The FileMaker Pro missing manual, on the other hand, is pleasantly verbose and has many examples. Moreover, it provides a necessary education in database theory and design as well. There's a wonderful introduction, for example, on using Boolean values. FileMaker Pro has many unique... 5/5 Jerry Saperstein (Evanston, IL USA) - See all my reviews, June 13, 2010

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  List Price: $39.99
  

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  FileMaker Pro 10

  Software (FileMaker)
  

  Rating (16 reviews):

  (3.9/5)

  

  Version to version most consistently best program

  I've used Filemaker since it's been black and white on a Mac Classic. From version to version it has always upgraded my files and performed flawlessly. At FM 6 I migrated over to Windows and the migration of my relational database was virtually flawless -just a little tweaking of layout and fonts.It has always been very easy to use -I have built entire applications for my personal use and it's always trouble free and fast. It is crazy simple to customize.I stopped at FM 6 for a while because FM 7 switched to a new database model, more in line with other databases like MySQL. Finally this year I switched to FM 10. I did need to redo my databases into tables and used it as an opportunity to clean out the unused stuff I'd added and then stopped using over 15 years -but I was surprised that it was way easier to migrate than I expected.FM10 also has a nifty function where, as I update my FM records locally on my computer, it updates the MySQL database... 5/5 George F. Greene - See all my reviews, September 2, 2009

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  Excellent file manager!

  I am a dentist, and in dentistry all the computer software are extremely expensive and limited. The Mac File MakerPro 10 has resulted in an excellent option to manage all our patients charts information, as well as our dental dealer's, referall's and almost all the dental office info that we usually keep in our records.It is very easy and friendly to use. I strongly recomend it for either business or home use. 5/5 Manuel De La Garza (monterrey, mexico) - See all my reviews, April 4, 2009

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  Switching from AppleWorks

  As a home user, I delayed getting FileMaker Pro for Mac for a long time due to the price, continuing to use old AppleWorks databases. I couldn't switch to Bento because it's Leopard only (I need to run it on a Tiger machine as well). Also, if you transfer between computers, I believe you have to export/import Bento files vs simply transfer the file as is the case with FMPro.So with some trepidation, I paid the big bucks (for me) for FileMaker Pro plus the "Missing Manual," and I couldn't be happier. I would've given it 5 stars except for a tiny bug that I found a work around for. For those switching from AppleWorks, don't worry - it's confusing for a week or so and then you'll love it. 4/5 E.K. - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: FileMaker Pro 10 (Software) As a home user, I delayed getting FileMaker Pro for Mac for a long time due to the price, continuing to use old AppleWorks databases. I couldn't switch to Bento because it's Leopard only (I need to run it on a Tiger machine as well). Also, if you transfer between computers, I believe you have to export/import Bento files vs simply transfer the file as is the case with FMPro.So with some trepidation, I paid the big bucks (for me) for FileMaker Pro plus the "Missing Manual," and I couldn't be happier. I would've given it 5 stars except for a tiny bug that I found a work around for. For those switching from AppleWorks, don't worry - it's confusing for a week or so and then you'll love it. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , April 29, 2009

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  List Price: $299.00
  Price: $129.99
  You Save: $169.01 (57%)

  FileMaker Pro is simple to install and setup takes just minutes;

  Instantly add any type of information including lists, photos or Microsoft Excel spreadsheets

  Safely share FileMaker Pro databases with both Mac and Windows users through a network or over the web

  Comes complete with step-by-step reporting tools that help you make sense your data and automate repetitive tasks

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  Filemaker Pro 11 Upgrade

  Software (FileMaker)
  

  Rating (9 reviews):

  (3.8/5)

  

  No hassle upgrade.

  I upgraded from FMP 8. Installation went smoothly and all my databases and scripts run well. My only disappointment is that I had hoped to be able to sync with iPad Filemaker Go, but can't. I can add records on the iPad, then replace the file on my iMac with the iPad file, but they don't sync. 4/5 Hate to Shop (San Diego) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Filemaker Pro 11 Upgrade (DVD-ROM) I upgraded from FMP 8. Installation went smoothly and all my databases and scripts run well. My only disappointment is that I had hoped to be able to sync with iPad Filemaker Go, but can't. I can add records on the iPad, then replace the file on my iMac with the iPad file, but they don't sync. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , August 15, 2010

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  Filemaker Pro 11

  This software is fun, very useful, user friendly and has very professional qualities and capabilities.The purchase for the upgrade has been on my mind for a long time and when I decided to finally purchase it, Amazon was at my service again.The product came as promised. Great software, great service from Amazon. 5/5 Ann F. Bennett (Orlando FL) - See all my reviews, March 27, 2011

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  The Best FileMaker yet!

  FileMaker Pro 11 is the best version of this database software to-date. It's internal charting ability is worth the price of admission by itselfWe use this software all day, every day at www.macedge.net and we LOVE it. 5/5 Larry J. Schultz "Filemaker guy" (Sillycone Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews, June 5, 2010

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  List Price: $179.00
  Price: $110.00
  You Save: $69.00 (39%)

  FileMaker Pro 11 is the leading, easy-to-use database software to help you quickly manage and securely share information through a network or over the web

  Get over 30 professionally designed templates to help manage your tasks in minutes

  Get step-by-step reporting tools to help manage and automate tasks--even easily create and email reports in Excel or PDF

  Safely share with both Windows and Mac users, plus over a network with up to 9 other users; securely publish your databases to the web in a few clicks

  Build a database tailored for your unique needs--get started by just dragging and dropping Microsoft Excel data into FileMaker Pro

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  FileMaker Pro Design & Scripting For Dummies

  Book (For Dummies)
  

  Rating (10 reviews):

  (2.9/5)

  

  A good book for FileMaker "users" wanting to become "developers"

  When choosing a book of this type, it's important to realize who the target audience is.The overwhelming majority of FileMaker Pro users are beginners in database design and development. Most of these people have either read the manual or figured out the basics on their own, and can wield FMP as an office productivity tool just fine. (If you are purchasing this book, and have not read the FMP manuals, I suggest that you do so, they are well written, not painfully long, and quite useful to get started.)This book is aimed at helping people get to the next step; from office productivity user to fledgling developer, and it serves that purpose very well.If you want to learn more about design and scripting in FMP, then buy this book. After you've mastered this material, go for some of the more advanced texts out there. 4/5 Roger Jacques (Sausalito, CA United States) - See all my reviews, January 5, 2007

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  Filemaker Pro

  Brace yourself. To find this manual helpful rather than frustrating, you must already know all about it and be familiar with the undefined jargon. Furthermore it is not totally applicable to the most recent version of Filemaker (Version 11). Some very important stuff is totally missing. Until you can grasp the privately defined meaning of words like record, script, database, etc. you will be constantly wondering what is being referred to, spending an inordinate amount of time trying to find out.This is an exceptionally complex program and apparently can be beaten into working well, with time and a great deal of patience. It is unfortunate that this Dummies does not live up to the usual Dummies format of talking to everyone who reads it rather than omitting the novice from the audience.There is no Glossary and the Table of Contents is where the trouble starts. 2/5 Robert F. Ritchie (Freeport, Maine) - See all my reviews, September 27, 2011

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  Outdated!!!

  We purchased the FileMaker v.11 from Amazon, and MISTAKENLY accepted their recommendation to purchase a "package" consisting of two books, in addition to the software. Well, the software is v.11, and the "Dummies" book talks exclusively about v.8! Somewhere between v.8 and v.11, there must have been a sea change in the software, because the "Dummies" book is of ABSOLUTELY no use!As we know, there's practically no (usable) documentation coming with software packages these days, and the Dummies books are usually of great help. Here, though, somebody at Amazon was apparently not watching the store. 1/5 CEPUAmity - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: FileMaker Pro Design & Scripting For Dummies (Paperback) We purchased the FileMaker v.11 from Amazon, and MISTAKENLY accepted their recommendation to purchase a "package" consisting of two books, in addition to the software. Well, the software is v.11, and the "Dummies" book talks exclusively about v.8! Somewhere between v.8 and v.11, there must have been a sea change in the software, because the "Dummies" book is of ABSOLUTELY no use!As we know, there's practically no (usable) documentation coming with software packages these days, and the Dummies books are usually of great help. Here, though, somebody at Amazon was apparently not watching the store. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , October 19, 2011

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  List Price: $24.99
  

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  Filemaker Pro 12

  Software (Filemaker Inc.)
  List Price: $299.00
  Price: $289.99
  You Save: $9.01 (3%)

  Tackle any task - Get built-in professionally designed Starter solutions and themes to help manage your tasks in minutes.

  Safely share with iPad, iPhone, Windows, and Mac users

  Securely publish your databases to the web in a few clicks. Create surveys, registration sites, customer feedback forms, and more.

  Build a database tailored for your unique needs. To get started, just drag and drop Microsoft Excel data into FileMaker Pro.

  Get step-by-step reporting tools, including eye-catching charts, to help manage and automate tasks. Easily create and email reports in Excel or PDF.

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  FileMaker Pro - (V. 9.0) - Complete Package - 1 User - CD - Win, Mac - English (30088G) Category: Software Suites

  PC Accessory (Filemaker, Inc)
  

  Rating (16 reviews):

  (4.2/5)

  

  Great, Simple, Flexible, Powerful!

  I am not a programmer, but I am a computer nerd. By profession, I am a lawyer. Databases are a very valuable asset for lawyers. In fact, there are about a dozen companies out there who sell customized database applications for lawyers. I've tried alot of them and even use one of these proprietary databases in my practice.I am considering eventually making my office all-Mac (stability, virus-free, machines stay current and last longer than PC) so I investigated Filemaker. Filemaker will allow me to track all my data exactly how I want and mix Macs and PC's in my office.Filemaker Pro 9 ships with alot of "Starter Applications"--these are databases already completely set up for you. You enter or import your data and for probably 80% of people who need a database, this is a great place to start--and you may never need to do anything else. Contacts, asset management, task and project management, there are dozens of starter solutions built right into... 5/5 Mr. Scott D. Desalvo "Scott D." (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews, December 12, 2007

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  Pricey, but easy to use and learn!

  Pros: Intuitive user interface, common-sense language approach to database programming.Cons: Steep learning curve for advanced applications.Some of the most useful software available are database programs. With them you can do anything - from managing large customer invoices to organizing your home DVD collection. While Microsoft Access seems to be the most well-known database program, I have never found it to be very user friendly. Filemaker Pro 9 has emerged for me as the simplest and most versatile database program available.While Access employs commands that only a programmer would be able to understand, Filemaker Pro uses simpler terminology that makes it easier for new users to jump right in and create their first databases. Layout creation is almost self-explanatory, with simple drag-and-drop of information field locations and the ability to resize and change fonts while instantly previewing your completed form on the screen.Not only is... 4/5 Troy A. McLain (Oklahoma City, OK) - See all my reviews, July 28, 2008

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  File Maker Pro Review

  I didn't purchase Filemaker Pro for my own use. I purchased it on behalf of the Paradise (CA) Friends of the Library on the recommendation of the board member who had prior experience in using it. Our goal was to create a more usable mailing list. We wanted software that would be all encompasing. That is, to do everything that a non-profit osrganization needs to do to maintain contact with its members, send out membership information and renewal notices. Filemaker Pro does all this and more. We no longer need any other software for day to day operations. 5/5 James Knappen "James F. Knappen" (Paradise, CA United States) - See all my reviews, March 29, 2008

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  List Price: $377.40
  Price: $49.99
  You Save: $327.41 (87%)

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  FileMaker Pro 10: The Missing Manual

  Book (Pogue Press)
  

  Rating (35 reviews):

  (4.3/5)

  

  This book won't end up as a doorstop or a climbing platform for your cat(s)

  I've been using FileMaker Pro for over ten years now, pretty much creating simple databases and runtime solutions for myself and fellow workers.Earlier this year, however, I was commissioned to create a safety-related database (runtime solution) for none other than FedEx and its nine feeder-carriers. Talk about instant panic-attack! When I found out that I'd be the authoring it I immediately perused Amazon.com and bookstores for books that would help me get up to speed very quickly so I could start coding away; I ordered an armful of them, some were "bible" and "idiot"-titled tomes and others were so "up there" technically that my eyes glazed over just reading their Table of Contents. More often than not they made me feel dense because there weren't enough explanations or examples in them for me to fully understand what was trying to be explained.The book I ended up using the most--and really appreciating its real-world use and easy-to-understand... 5/5 R. Stuart "A 21st Century Man" (Post Falls, ID United States) - See all my reviews, November 3, 2007

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  So much more than a "Missing Manual."

  This book is now in it's third writing. The first one (for Filekaker 7) never got printed as the release of Filemaker 8 made so many improvements to the software that a revision was mandatory. Nevertheless that early writing served its purpose as the precursor for the previous edition of this book on FileMaker 8. That edition was a real eye opener for me as it taught me so much more about the program than I had ever appreciated after many years of use. Now we have, what is in effect a third writing, for the latest version of FileMaker Pro and the benefit of those previous versions is certainly evident.These authors have an excellent style of writing for a technical product like FileMaker Pro -- the style is both readable and accurate with plenty of light hearted quips to provide a delightful human touch to what could otherwise become fairly dreary tome. The book is thus not only a very readable tutorial on the methodology for setting up a relational database, but it also... 5/5 John E. Wolff (Hamilton, NZ) - See all my reviews, October 21, 2007

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  Excellent intro to FileMaker for beginner through high intermediate

  The Missing Manual series is, overall, quite good with few misses. "FileMaker Pro 10 - The Missing Manual" is no exception to the generally high quality of the series. I've used FileMaker since its very first version when it was produced by a company called Nashoba Systems. FileMaker has always been an excellent product, but with each new version, new features add another level of complexity. The early Nashoba and Apple documentation was excellent, but bit by bit the standards slipped. Printed manuals gave way to online help. A mini-industry developed as publishers introduced new titles. It was never a tsunami, but there were a number of books on various aspects of FileMaker, some very well developed references. The Missing Manual neatly fills the gap. Starting with the basics, you are guided through the basics in the first three chapters. In reality, many people will not need to go beyond this point. There's enough here to get you... 5/5 Jerry Saperstein (Evanston, IL USA) - See all my reviews, August 11, 2009

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  List Price: $39.99
  

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  FileMaker Pro - ( v. 12 ) - complete package

  CE (FileMaker)
  

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  Filemaker Pro 12 Upgrade

  Software (Filemaker Inc.)
  

  Rating (3 reviews):

  (2.3/5)

  

  Filemaker Pro 12 upgrade crashes with my databases

  I upgraded from Filemaker Pro 9, because of the time limit on upgrading from 9 to 12. I installed the program, and converted all of my databases to Pro 12. My Contacts database kept crashing after being converted to Pro 12, usually when I pasted text into a text field or sometimes when I clicked in the text field. Called Filemaker tech support who told me to use the Recover command, then export the records to a different file, clone the Contacts database (with no records), then import the exported records to the new cloned database. Even after doing that twice the database kept crashing. I then used the Contacts database which came as an example template and imported records into their own template database. The file still crashed often. Tech support said that Filemaker Pro 12 is much more sensitive to database corruption than Filemaker Pro 9, and that causes these errors and crashes. I finally decided that I liked Filemaker Pro 9 much more since it never crashed, and did everything I... 2/5 odysseus (FL USA) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Filemaker Pro 12 Upgrade (CD-ROM) I upgraded from Filemaker Pro 9, because of the time limit on upgrading from 9 to 12. I installed the program, and converted all of my databases to Pro 12. My Contacts database kept crashing after being converted to Pro 12, usually when I pasted text into a text field or sometimes when I clicked in the text field. Called Filemaker tech support who told me to use the Recover command, then export the records to a different file, clone the Contacts database (with no records), then import the exported records to the new cloned database. Even after doing that twice the database kept crashing. I then used the Contacts database which came as an example template and imported records into their own template database. The file still crashed often. Tech support said that Filemaker Pro 12 is much more sensitive to database corruption than Filemaker Pro 9, and that causes these errors and crashes. I finally decided that I liked Filemaker Pro 9 much more since it never crashed, and did everything I... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , May 1, 2012

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  Nice upgrade from v11.x, but it's not one I'd rush out to buy

  Just to tell you where I'm coming from, I've been a FileMaker user and Developer since 1997 so I'm pretty familiar with it.Much of what v12 offers is what I call 'skin deep' and is mostly for developers: laying out fields while in Layout mode is a lot easier with visual guides to help you line up fields; the product comes with a handful of pre-built "themes" (most of which are, unfortunately, kinda blah so you'll have to replace their color schemes with more appealing colors and textures. [I don't know why some of them are so gray and dingy-looking]), and there are some improvements with graphics capability--but there's nothing really substantial in the new version that knocked my socks off or blew my hair back.Looking for new commands for coding scripts and such? Not much under the Sun, there--only a few of them. Perhaps my biggest gripe is that formatting text and rules is still as crude as ever. *sigh* C'mon, guys--databases not only have to crunch data but... 3/5 A 21st Century Man "Rich" (Lush, exotic, tropical Central Texas) - See all my reviews This review is from: Filemaker Pro 12 Upgrade (CD-ROM) Just to tell you where I'm coming from, I've been a FileMaker user and Developer since 1997 so I'm pretty familiar with it.Much of what v12 offers is what I call 'skin deep' and is mostly for developers: laying out fields while in Layout mode is a lot easier with visual guides to help you line up fields; the product comes with a handful of pre-built "themes" (most of which are, unfortunately, kinda blah so you'll have to replace their color schemes with more appealing colors and textures. [I don't know why some of them are so gray and dingy-looking]), and there are some improvements with graphics capability--but there's nothing really substantial in the new version that knocked my socks off or blew my hair back.Looking for new commands for coding scripts and such? Not much under the Sun, there--only a few of them. Perhaps my biggest gripe is that formatting text and rules is still as crude as ever. *sigh* C'mon, guys--databases not only have to crunch data but... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , May 5, 2012

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  Disappointing upgrade

  Was really hoping for a significant usability & functionality upgrade. Things like dynamic portal sorting and more analytic functions were hoped for, but nowhere to be seen in this version. This is really all about cosmetics...a few more templates and a few tools that are supposed to help in layout design. I found that the design tools are really minor refinements in how commands operate, rather than real new improvements. Graphing is a little more robust, but far from a quantum leap...you cant even change the orientation of text labels in a scattergram chart, should the labels overlap (making the graph useless). Speed is no faster. Reliability is similar. File format has changed so backwards compatibility is gone. Ultimately, I agree with other reviewers and would call this a very disappointing minor upgrade. If I had to value the upgrade, I would say that its worth about $29 -$49, not the $179 that they want. To me, its an expensive upgrade for a few "Apple-esque" visual bubble gum... 2/5 OccDoc (Nashville TN) - See all my reviews This review is from: Filemaker Pro 12 Upgrade (CD-ROM) Was really hoping for a significant usability & functionality upgrade. Things like dynamic portal sorting and more analytic functions were hoped for, but nowhere to be seen in this version. This is really all about cosmetics...a few more templates and a few tools that are supposed to help in layout design. I found that the design tools are really minor refinements in how commands operate, rather than real new improvements. Graphing is a little more robust, but far from a quantum leap...you cant even change the orientation of text labels in a scattergram chart, should the labels overlap (making the graph useless). Speed is no faster. Reliability is similar. File format has changed so backwards compatibility is gone. Ultimately, I agree with other reviewers and would call this a very disappointing minor upgrade. If I had to value the upgrade, I would say that its worth about $29 -$49, not the $179 that they want. To me, its an expensive upgrade for a few "Apple-esque" visual bubble gum... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , May 9, 2012

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  List Price: $179.00
  Price: $164.99
  You Save: $14.01 (8%)

  Use new gradients, image slicing, and alignment guides to get the design precision you need.

  Apply one of 40 stunning new themes to instantly change the look of your database.

  Get design tools, themes, scripts, and calculation functions to help you quickly build apps for iPad and iPhone.

  Manage projects, content, estimates, and more with re-designed solutions-now with layouts for iPad and iPhone.

  Drag and drop files into your database, render images faster, and securely store and manage data externally.

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