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"What’s really changed in FileMaker 8 is that they’ve made it very, very easy for anyone to implement! " —Chris Manton , Bablefix Limited
One of the reasons FileMaker is the #1 easy-to-use database software is it’s so easy to get started. Simply decide if you want to use one of our free ready-made solutions, start with your own data, or create your own solution from scratch. You’ll quickly be on your way to managing people, projects, assets, and more—the easy way!
Start with your own data
Import Microsoft® Excel files instantly or import data from other file formats.
Learn more
Use a ready-made solution
Be productive instantly with one of 30 in-product Starter Solutions
From invoicing to issue tracking, there is a ready-to-use database template for you. These customizable database templates come free as part of FileMaker Pro 8 and are ready to use right away.
Download the Business Productivity Kit
Learn how to customize Starter Solutions and set up customized reports in the "How to Build This Solution Yourself" learning guide included with the Business Productivity Kit.
Download kit
Here's how to customize a solution:
FileMaker Pro 8 is entirely customizable to match the way you work. And you can easily make changes as your organizational needs grow. Here are some tips on how to customize your solutions:
- Change field names.
- Add a new field.
- Add a field to a screen/layout.
- Add a logo or graphic embellishment.
- Design a new screen/layout.
- Add a tab panel to a screen/layout.
- Combine Starter Solutions.
Start with your own data
FileMaker gives you the tools to manage people, projects, assets and more! Immediately reap the benefits of FileMaker by importing the data you already have.
Import Excel files instantly
Just drag your Excel file onto the FileMaker icon on your desktop and the information will import automatically. You choose which worksheet to import and whether the first row of data in the spreadsheet contains field names or data. Learn more about importing Excel files.
Import data from other file formats
FileMaker can import many different file formats (see a list of supported file formats). You can also import data from applications FileMaker doesn’t support by exporting it into a supported format. For example you can export data into a .csv file and then import that into FileMaker. Learn more about importing data into FileMaker.
Change the field names
When you import your data, depending on the file format, you may find that the field names are not intuitive or that the field contains numbers but the field type is defined as text. You can change the field definitions, such as the field name or type (text, number, date, time, calculation, etc.) Learn more about changing field definitions.
Store a variety of information types
Store virtually any type of file or information, including images, movies, sounds, Microsoft Office files, Adobe PDF files, and more in a container field. Learn more about container fields.
Build your own screen/layout from the data
When you import your data, FileMaker adds the fields to the layout but the layout may not look the way you want it. You may want to resize text, move fields around, insert a graphic or two, add a tab panel and more. Learn more about creating and managing layouts and reports.
Create your paper forms
With FileMaker, it’s easy to create a screen that looks just like your paper forms, saving you and your team time and effort.
- Create a FileMaker Pro file.
- Create a database table. Tables are used to organize and group your data by common characteristics or principles.
- Create new fields. Specify whether it contains text, numbers, date, time, and so on.
- Build a screen with your fields.
Before you start building your database, you may want to read about database basics.

