FileMaker 8 Packs Plenty of Conveniences

FileMaker Pro, the easiest full-fledged database program I've found, made a great leap forward with its last release, adding new relational capabilities. So what are the developers doing for an encore with the $299 FileMaker Pro 8? Nothing as spectacular, but it offers improvements that make it easier and faster to use.

I tested a beta version and found more options for sharing data with someone who doesn't own a copy of the program. For example, you can send a PDF so they can see the exact look of the database, or you can export data to an Excel spreadsheet, allowing the recipient to manipulate and analyze the information.

FileMaker's Web publishing features have also been improved, letting you serve an interactive version of your database online with a few clicks. And the Web version looks and acts more like the desktop version than it did in the previous edition.

Inputting information into a FileMaker database is now easier in several ways. You can put a drop-down calendar on any date field, and you can add an autocomplete capability to any text field as well.

And if you're a FileMaker guru who creates databases for others, you have more options for customization, including adding specialized menu buttons and tooltips.

The improvements in FileMaker Pro 8 will make any serious user's life easier. If you already own Pro 7, though, you'll have to decide whether the added conveniences are worth the $179 upgrade price.

FileMaker Pro 8

Update offers plenty of small improvements that make this easy-to-use database program even more efficient.
Price when reviewed: $299, $179 upgrade
Current prices (if available)