FileMaker - How to Export Records

File Menu: Export Records...

WIth the right permissions setting, it is possible to export pretty much any Found Set of records, or even the entire database. Here is how, first, search on the records you would like to export. Remember to do your searching from the appropriate layout. (Look for People on a People layout, look for Companies on an Orgs layout etc).

From the File Menu, select the menu option 'Export Records'.

Export Records to a File dialog box

Give the file a name (1) and pay attention to where (2) in the File Directory the file will be saved. Putting things on your desktop or in a downloads folder may be a good idea.

Export Type Popup Menu

Next, select the File Type. (1)

Tab-Separated Text and Comma-Separated Text do not include field headers. Merge does, and is a CSV format, though Excel doesn't seem to like opening it. Any text editor will be able to open it. Excel is also a popular format.

Next click Save. (2)

Dropping a Field from the Export

If you need to tweak the fields in your export, during the export, a screen comes up with the field map. You can add or remove fields here:

To drop a field: click on the field in question in the lower right box (1) and click Clear (2)

Adding a Field to the Export

To add fields, click on the field in the left box (1) on a field and click Move (2).

FileMaker is a little annoying here. It won't let you expand the left box large enough to see the field name, when it has a long relationship name attached to it. So instead, you may have to use the Move All to the right hand box and then selectively remove the fields you do not require.