Filemaker conversion

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Guest

I have a database in FilemakerPro 7 that has a specific layout that I want to
maintain while converting the file to Access 2007. Is there anything I
should be aware of before I purchase an Office suite?
 
Hi Eric,

Only that the underlying concepts behind FMP and Access are so different
that once can't really talk about "conversion". Given FMP's
non-relational roots, even the data structure is likely to need
rethinking, and the functionality and user interface will have to be
build from scratch using Access's excellent tools.

At least it's normally possible to export the actual data from FMP into
an intermediate format Access can import.

Unlike previous versions, Access 2007 allows multivalued fields, which
may reduce the conceptual gap once you get the hang of them - but they
may also greatly complicate the process of moving the data!
 
John:

If I understand correctly, I would have to re-create the format layout in
Access from scratch. I would then assign the values in the new Access form
fields to corrolate to the FMP data in the intermediate format. What is the
intermediate format and does it entail creating a new form in that format?
 
As I said, there are BIG conceptual differences. The terms "format
layout" and "form fields" have no meaning in Access, so I'm not sure
what you're talking about.

In Access, you start by planning the data structure and creating the
necessary tables (not formats, not layouts).

When I said you should "export the data from FMP into an intermediate
format Access can import", I meant that you should *export* the data
from FMP into files in a standard format such as CSV or DBF. These can
then be imported into Access tables.

(If you're familiar with using FMP with ODBC data sources, you may be
able to move the data directly into the Access tables that way; I'm not
able to offer any advice.)
 
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