# FileMaker Pro and formats

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filemaker-pro-and-formats/85663
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [October 5, 2001, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filemaker-pro-and-formats/85663 "2001-10-05T20:36:19Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)
#### Post date: [October 5, 2001, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filemaker-pro-and-formats/85663/1 "2001-10-05T20:36:19Z")

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I used to be a FileMaker Pro user, back in 2.x version days.

I can’t find the media to re-install it - amazingly, I still have the box and manuals… but I digress.

I have about six or eight files in .FM format. I would like to get them into some standard format (dbf, TSV, etc) so I could use them in Access.

Is there a way to do this without paying $250 for a new Filemaker version?

I have already tried downloading the “trial” crippleware from the Filemaker site. It limits you to fifty records, even when exporting. Rats.

- Rick

(If someone owns Filemaker and wanted to volunteer to convert these files, this would (a) answer the question, and (b) earn my gratitude.

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### Author: ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)
#### Post date: [October 5, 2001, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filemaker-pro-and-formats/85663/2 "2001-10-05T21:34:53Z")

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FileMaker guru checking in.

I’ll export them for you if you want. [Send me](mailto:ahunter3@earthlink.net) the files and I’ll get them back to you this evening.

Oh, and my condolences to you for (I presume) being forced to use Access 😉

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### Author: ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)
#### Post date: [October 6, 2001, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filemaker-pro-and-formats/85663/3 "2001-10-06T03:36:25Z")

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I would just like the record to reflect that **AHunter3** is, in fact, a FileMaker guru, and, also, rocks.

Thanks to this guru’s tireless and exacting efforts, I don’t have to buy $250 worth of software to use for ten minutes!

Much obliged!

- Rick