How to Access a Hosted FileMaker Database

Install FileMaker Pro

Install a version of FileMaker Pro that is compatible with the FileMaker Server hosting the database. Download FileMaker Pro. If you are unsure of which version to use, contact your server administrator.

Open the Database

There are a few different ways to connect to a hosted database. All, however, begin with knowing the hostname of the FileMaker Server machine hosting the database, as well as the name of the database file itself. If you don't know these, contact your server administrator.

A. Open Database via the Launch Center

The traditional way to connect to a hosted database is using the Launch Center. The Launch Center appears when you first launch FileMaker Pro, and also when you choose File > Open, or File > Open Remote.

Launch Center: Hosts tab

1. The first time that you access a hosted database from your computer, you will need to add the server to your Favorite Hosts list. To do this:
   • Open the Launch Center
   • Choose the Hosts tab
   • Click the + button at bottom left
   • In the Add Favorite Host dialog, in Host's Internet Address, enter the full hostname of the server, e.g. my-fmp-server.mit.edu.
   • Click Save.
   • A Favorite Host entry for this server will now appear in the left-hand column of the Launch Center > Hosts tab.
     
     
2. In the Launch Center > Hosts tab, click on the server name in the left-hand column. You will then see a list of databases hosted by the server.
   Note: If the server has the File Display Filter setting enabled, after clicking on the server name, you will first be prompted to enter your database credentials. You will then see a filtered list of databases that you are authorized to open with those credentials.
   
   
3. Double-click on the database name in the list at right to open the database.

Launch Center: My Solutions tab

After you have opened and closed a database for the first time, it will appear in the Launch Center > My Solutions tab > Recent list, and you can open the database again from there. You can also pin the database to the Favorites list by clicking the star icon to the left of the database name.

B. Open Database via an Opener File

Another common method for opening a hosted database is to use an "opener" file. This is a FileMaker database file that lives on a user's machine which acts as a shortcut to the hosted database. Double-clicking on the opener file will start FileMaker Pro and launch the hosted database all in one action.

The opener file is a very simple database that only needs the following components:

1. External data source containing the network file path of the hosted database
2. Script with two steps:
   • Open File step, to open the hosted database
   • Close File step, to close the opener file (itself)
3. Set the script to run with the On First Window Open trigger

C. Open Database via a Web URL

You can also open a database by pointing a web browser to a FileMaker URL; this will automatically launch (or switch to) FileMaker Pro and open the specified database. The URL can be saved as a bookmark for easy access. The FileMaker URL format is:

fmp://hostname/databasename.fmp12

If you have a database already open, you can easily generate this URL by choosing File > Send > Link to Database.

Note: The FileMaker URL behavior is supported by Safari, Firefox, and Internet Explorer. It is not currently supported by Chrome. Your browser settings may also impact how well this works on your own computer. If you do not immediately get results using the URL method, best to try one of the above methods.