FileMaker Pro 14 Review

Believe it or not, Apple subsidiary FileMaker turns 30 this year, and the latest version of the venerable productivity solution proves that, like wine, some things only get better with age.

FileMaker Pro 14 continues a recent trend of updated interfaces following the introduction of Launch Center, which streamlines the appearance of favorite or recently-opened files. Solutions can now be assigned one of 29 colorful icons, or have custom graphics applied. The approach has been implemented across the FileMaker universe for a consistent look and feel on Mac, Windows, iOS, or web browsers.

Likewise, the Starter Solutions feature introduced with version 12 has been redesigned, with 16 layouts that also work on WebDirect and mobile. This makes it far easier for novice users to get up to speed with ready-made templates for contact, invoice, inventory, project, or event management databases. Three of these layouts — Personnel Records, Time Billing, and Research Notes — are not available on iPhone.

WebDirect (FileMaker’s tech for running Solutions directly in your web browser) has also gone mobile in this version, allowing tablets to run desktop solutions on Safari for iPad, or Chrome for Android. (Chrome for iOS isn’t recommended, and didn’t work so great in our tests.) We found the print options to be less robust, there are a few limitations involving container fields, and many dialog boxes haven’t yet been touch-optimized, but the experience was otherwise quite smooth. WebDirect is also now up to 25% faster at running many web-optimized layouts and you’ll feel the difference; an overhauled toolbar offers finger-friendly tap targets for mobile devices, and menus that slide in or out and automatically collapse or expand when the device is rotated. Other interface improvements include a new button bar, button icons, and in-field labels, along with a color palette coordinated with the selected theme.

Switching to mobile is more seamless, thanks to a new look for the free FileMaker Go 14 iOS app and the ability to launch solutions in fullscreen mode. There’s also more control over video or audio playback (which can now be done from container fields). There’s still no iCloud sync, though — only through dedicated servers.

The bottom line. A significant refresh for the veteran software that unifies the experience across desktop and mobile.