

I meandered into layout mode to check out its makeover, but it looked the same. But, I can also customize and specify my own default fields beforehand. The program automatically creates fields for the primary key, creation and modification dates and the user who created or modified the record. Wow! FileMaker 17 automatically creates a series of default fields when you create a new table. I navigated to Tables, typed in my new table name at the bottom and clicked create.

This area looks exactly the same as well. Next, I wanted to create a new table so I pressed Shift-Command-D to open the Manage Database dialog and was pleased to find that it still works in FileMaker 17. Since FileMaker Pro Advanced is the new desktop, all users now have access to advanced features, but they are disabled by default so you have to manually enable the advanced tools feature and then restart the FileMaker program. This particular client has custom menus but I wanted to switch to the FileMaker default menus, which is an advanced feature. I proceeded to open my client's files and everything pretty much looked the same as it did in FileMaker 16.

I had to manually reconfigure my hosts in FileMaker 17. I figured I would find the Open Remote function under Hosts so I clicked it and I hit a bit of a dead end. Actually, there are quite a few changes: My Apps and Hosts have been added to the menu and other items have been renamed, rearranged or removed altogether. I clicked on the File menu and noticed the Open Remote and Open Favorite options were gone. Okay, stay in my lane.I needed to work on one of my customer files which are hosted on their server. This new window provides easy access to My Apps and Recent files as well as a button to Create a file. I opened the file for the first time and immediately noticed the new My Apps window. I downloaded the installer file and installed it, so far so good. So here's how I navigated the upgrade process. I know, I’m a developer and I should have done it as soon as it released, right?! I have no good excuses, but better late than never. I've finally jumped on the bandwagon I've upgraded to the FileMaker 17 Platform.
