Intermediate / Developer
Already comfortable in FileMaker? Writing scripts, building layouts, solving problems — but know there’s a better way to structure and scale what you build?
It's designed for developers with the fundamentals who are ready to sharpen their skills and step into more advanced patterns. Over these 10 focused sessions, you’ll learn how to use JSON more powerfully, write more readable calculations, build proper dashboards, and work confidently with TOGs, and card windows. Plus, we will reach across the platform to FileMaker Go, WebDirect, Studio, and Connect.
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If you’re maintaining systems, building new features, or prepping for integrations, this course gives you the structure, techniques, and clarity to level up as a developer.
What you'll learn
Day 1
Using Perform Find and Global Relationships
to Drive Portals
​We will learn a design pattern that joins several simple features together to display data in ways that filtered portals can only dream about. This is a powerful design pattern for a dashboard.
​Working with JSON in Scripts and Parameters
The best and standard method of passing parameters & data is JSON. We’ll take this further into structuring script output, multi-value passing, and readable logs.
Day 2
Advanced Card Window Methods
to Simplify Workflow​
We will learn some great ways to find and choose the right record: popovers, portals, and card windows to the rescue. This session focuses on workflow and modal patterns.
Why Let( ) and Case( ) Are Useful every day
Solid use of these functions for most calculations (wherever you make them) will make the world a better place. Your future self will need to understand and build on what you code today, and mastery here simplifies.
Day 3
The Hidden Powers of Button Bars
​What are some of the best uses of Button Bars on a layout, and what other functions do they replace? What are the limitations of using this method for adding simplicity and hiding complexity?
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Table Occurrence Groups: How and Why​
Let’s build skills with many-to-many relationships, Table Occurrence Groups (TOGs), and clarifying the primary purpose of the graph. The answer will surprise you, because it’s about layout design. Context is King! Plus, we will get into some advanced relationships.
Day 4
Script Triggers & Object-Oriented Thinking​
Let’s use subscripts to pass parameters on down the line. We’ll test effective script triggers like OnObjectSave, OnRecordLoad and OnFirstWindowOpen.
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Dashboards: Visual Entry Points and Metrics
We will learn why and how to build a landing page that provides users with useful, visual data when they log in. A good dashboard is personalized and empowers users.
Day 5
More practical, powerful uses for JSON
​Learn how to use JSON fields in every table to store metadata, preserve deprecated fields, manage temporary values, and centralize user/session state — without cluttering your schema or relying on scattered globals.
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FileMaker Go, WebDirect, Studio and Connect​
We will highlight essential differences and design considerations for FileMaker Go and WebDirect. We’ll also introduce Claris Studio and Connect—what they are, when to use them, and where they fit into the Claris ecosystem.
More details
Class starts :: June 2nd, 2025
Days :: Mon, Wed, Fri :: 2 hours each day
Times :: 8am - 10am Pacific (11am-1pm Eastern)
Requirements :: Zoom Client with Mic & screen sharing
Current FileMaker Version
Financing and scholarships available​