This FileMaker Certification Preparation course was created to provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to properly and productively study for and pass the exam. While we don't have any of the exam questions nor do we teach to the test, we extrapolate and expand on the information provided in the FileMaker Certification Study Guide.
Our videos utilize visual aids, engaging examples, and memory techniques to help you retain and recall the information during your exam.
The FileMaker Certification Test Preparation course is divided into chapters that concisely cover the eight sections of the exam.
- Ready to get started? Purchase the FileMaker Certification Preparation course as a stand-alone course or purchase the University Bundle to gain access to all available courses.
- Interested in a sampler? Have a look at the FREE overview course. This overview talks about why FileMaker certification is important, the benefits for developers, and how you should get started with your test preparation.
Eight Part Series

Part 1 - Technical Specifications

Part 2 - Defining Database Schema

Part 3 - Building Layouts

Part 4 - Working with Calculations

Part 5 - Writing Scripts

Part 6 - Securing FileMaker Systems

Part 7 - Deploying Custom Apps

Part 8 - Data Integration

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$199.00 / year
$199.00 / yearEntire University Bundle
Consider spending a little more and gain access to all PCU courses with a subscription to the bundle.
Course Curriculum
(Select a box below to see all the lessons within each section)
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1
Welcome
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Welcome to Certification Preparation
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A Note About FileMaker Versions
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Resources and Official Study Guide Links
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How To Use This Course
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About Marc Larochelle / Productive Computing
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About Stuart Hite / Productive Computing
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Advanced Tools Setting
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Course Version History
FREE PREVIEW
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3
Sec 1 Technical Specifications
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Technical Specifications: Overview for FileMaker 18
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Technical Specifications: FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced
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Technical Specifications FileMaker Server 18
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Technical Specifications: FileMaker Go 18
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Technical Limits For FileMaker Pro 18 Advanced
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4
Sec 2 Defining Database Schema
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Defining Database Schema: Overview
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Defining Database Schema: FileMaker Go
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Defining Database Schema: Tables
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Defining Database Schema: Tables Default Fields
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OPTIONAL: Defining Database Schema: Default Fields Instructions
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Defining Database Schema: Adding New Fields to Tables
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Defining Database Schema: Field Types
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Defining Database Schema: Field Auto-Entry Options
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Defining Database Schema: Field Validation Options
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Defining Database Schema: Field Validation Question
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Defining Database Schema: Field Validation Order
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Defining Database Schema: Field Storage Options
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Defining Database Schema: Field Storage Options Question
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Defining Database Schema: Field Indexing
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Defining Database Schema: Relationships
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Defining Database Schema: Relationship Graph
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Defining Database Schema: Relationship Example 1
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Defining Database Schema: Relationship Example 2
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Defining Database Schema: Relationship Example 3a
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Defining Database Schema: Relationship Example 3b
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Defining Database Schema: Relationship Example 3c
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Defining Database Schema: Summary
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5
Sec 3 Building Layouts
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Building Layouts: Overview
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General Layout Information
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Context
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Layout Setup Dialogue Options
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Layout Parts
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Layout Fields
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Layout Portals
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Portals, Panels, and Popovers
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Portals and Panels Navigation
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Buttons, Bars, and Popovers
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Web Viewers
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Script Triggers Analysis
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Script Triggers Question
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Script Triggers Activation
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Layout Tools: Badges
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Tools: Objects Tab
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Conditional Formatting
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Styles and Themes
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Styles and Themes Priorities
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Styles and Themes Question 1
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Styles and Themes Question 2
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Charting Data Sources
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Charting Layout Part Placement
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Building Layouts Summary
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6
Sec 4 Working With Calculations: General
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Working With Calculations: Overview
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Commenting
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Operators
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Calculation Fundamentals Quiz
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Custom Functions General Information
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Custom Function Examples
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Custom Function Quiz
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7
Sec 4 Working With Calculations: Functions A - H
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Base64EncodeRFC ()
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Char ()
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Code ()
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Evaluate ()
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Execute SQL ()
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Filter ()
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FilterValues ()
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Functions A - F Quiz
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Get ( ActiveFieldContents )
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Get ( ActivePortalRowNumber )
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Get ( ActiveRecordNumber )
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GetContainerAttribute()
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Get ( CurrentTimestamp)
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Get ( DocumentsPath )
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GetField
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Get ( InstalledFMPlugins )
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Get ( LastError )
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Get ( LastExternalErrorDetail )
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Get ( PersistentID )
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Get ( RecordID )
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Get ( RecordNumber )
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Get ( ScriptParameter )
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Get ( ScriptResult )
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Get ( TriggerCurrentPanel )
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Get ( TriggerKeystroke )
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Get ( TriggerTargetPanel )
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GetValue ()
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Sec 4 Working With Calculations: Functions J - Z
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JSONFormatElements ()
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JSONListKeys ()
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JSONGetElement ()
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JSONListValues ()
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JSONSetElement ()
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Functions JSON Quiz
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Left ()
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LeftValues ()
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LeftWords ()
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Length ()
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Let ()
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Middle ()
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MiddleValues ()
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MiddleWords ()
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Position ()
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Quote ()
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Right ()
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RightValues ()
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RightWords ()
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Functions Left, Middle, Right Quiz
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Round ()
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Substitute ()
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Trim ()
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WordCount ()
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Function L - Z Quiz
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Working With Calculations Summary
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9
Sec 5 Writing Scripts
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Writing Scripts: Overview
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Automating tasks with scripts
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Creating and editing scripts in Script Workspace
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Study Guide Question 5: Perform Script
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Script Debugger
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Control Scripts: If
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Control Scripts: Else vs Else If
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Control Scripts: Halt vs Exit
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Control Scripts: Loop, End Loop, Exit Loop If
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Control Scripts: Allow User Abort
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Control Scripts: Set Error Capture
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Writing Scripts Question 2
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Control Scripts: Install OnTimer Script
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Control Scripts: Perform Script On Server
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Navigation: Enter Browse Find Preview Mode
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Navigation: Go To Field
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Navigation: Go To Layout
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Navigation: Go To Object
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Navigation: Go To Portal Row
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Navigation: Go To Record/Request/Page
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Navigation: Go To Related Record
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Scripts Question 3 Delete All Records
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Fields: Insert From Device
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Fields: Insert From Last Visited
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Fields: Insert Text, Insert Calculated Result, Set Field
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Fields: Insert from URL
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Records: Commit Records Requests
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Records: Delete All Records Cascade Lock
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Records: New Record/Request
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Records: Truncate Table Question 8
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Records: Save Records as PDF WebDirect Question 7 and 10
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Windows: New Window Question 6
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ODBC Driver Question 9
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Perform Find, Saved Finds
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Script Access Privileges Question 4
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Writing Scripts: Summary
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10
Sec 6 Securing FileMaker Systems
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Intro/Overview
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Overview Details
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Authentication
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FMReauthenticate
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Extended Privileges
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Privilege Set
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Default Accounts and Privileges
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Security Functions: Account versus Current Privileges
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File Options
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File Access
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Security Related Script Steps
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ODBC Security
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Encryption Overview
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Encryption at Rest (Part 1)
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Encryption at Rest (Part 2)
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Encrypt/Decrypt Fields
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Security Lock Icons
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SSL Certs, Ports, Remove Full Access and Custom Functions
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Section Recap
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Section Links
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Sec 7 Deploying Custom Apps
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Deploying Custom Apps: Overview
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Backups: Automatic, On Demand, Scheduled, Progressive, and Preserved
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Server Scripting
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Deploying Custom Apps to FileMaker Go
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Monitoring Server Top Call Stats Question 4
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FileMaker WebDirect Considerations
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FileMaker Server OS Configuration (part 1)
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FileMaker Server Install Configuration (part 2)
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Admin Console (part 1)
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Admin Console (part 2)
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Admin Console (part 3)
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FileMaker Server Secure Folder
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Multi Machine Deployment
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FileMaker Data API Deployment Considerations
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Section Links
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12
Sec 7 Deploying Custom Apps: OPTIONAL Server Installation Training
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OPTIONAL Training for Server
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OPTIONAL Training: Install FileMaker Server (Windows)
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OPTIONAL Training: Install FileMaker Server (Macintosh)
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OPTIONAL Training: FileMaker Server Ports (to configure firewall)
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OPTIONAL Training: Uninstall FileMaker Server (Windows)
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OPTIONAL Training: Uninstall FileMaker Server (Macintosh)
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OPTIONAL Training: Chapter Resources (Links mentioned in this chapter)
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13
Sec 8 Data Integration: Import and Export
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Data Integration: Overview
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Importing and Exporting with Privileges
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Saving vs Exporting
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Save as PDF
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Save as Snapshot Link
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Exporting and Saving Modes
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Export and Import Formats
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Import to a New Database
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Importing General Rules
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Importing: Methods for an Existing Database
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Importing: Additional Options
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Importing Privileges
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Importing Automated Recurring
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14
Sec 8 Data Integration: ESS and ODBC
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ESS and ODBC
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External Sources: Links
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15
Sec 8 Data Integration: OPTIONAL ODBC Training
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OPTIONAL: Accessing External Data Sources (Overview)
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OPTIONAL: Installing Windows ODBC driver
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OPTIONAL: Installing Mac ODBC driver
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OPTIONAL: Create an ODBC Data Source AWS RDS part 1
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OPTIONAL: Create an ODBC Data Source AWS RDS part 2
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OPTIONAL: Add Schema to MySQL on AWS
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OPTIONAL: Connect FileMaker to External Data Sources
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OPTIONAL: Working with ESS part 1
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OPTIONAL: Working with ESS part 2
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OPTIONAL: Working with ESS part 3
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OPTIONAL: Working with ESS part 4
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OPTIONAL: Working with ESS part 5
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OPTIONAL: Working with ESS part 6
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OPTIONAL: FileMaker Pro Advanced as an ODBC Data Source
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OPTIONAL: FileMaker Server as an ODBC Data Source
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16
Features Released with FileMaker 18
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While ()
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SetRecursion ()
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Set Error Logging ()
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Save a Copy as XML ()
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File Based Script Steps
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FileMaker 18 New Security Features
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FileMaker Server 18 New Features
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New Import Features for FileMaker 18
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17
Final Thoughts
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The Last Few days or hours leading up to the exam
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CONGRATULATIONS!
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18
Additional Resources
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Productive Computing Products and Services
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Course Reviews
Excellent course, incredibly helpful, great value for money.
Benedick Miller
The course is excellent. I highly recommend it to anyone considering taking the FileMaker Certification exams. It brings together the huge amount of material...
Read MoreThe course is excellent. I highly recommend it to anyone considering taking the FileMaker Certification exams. It brings together the huge amount of material required to pass the exam in an easy to use format. The teaching is straight forward and clear. There is a mass of information here. The bottom line: I am convinced that the course helped me pass the exam. Well worth the money.
Read LessI passed FileMaker Certification for both 17 & 18!
Jonn Howell
I recently took the coursework for FileMaker Certification, from Productive Computing University. Marc and Stu made this very approachable, easy to learn, a...
Read MoreI recently took the coursework for FileMaker Certification, from Productive Computing University. Marc and Stu made this very approachable, easy to learn, and assisted greatly where pure memorization was needed. This is not my first rodeo at certification. I am now certified on 9 different versions of FileMaker. Yet, this time I wanted make sure I had it down pat, and I thought I might learn a few new things along the way. Wow! This coursework made the whole process much easier and less stress inducing. I took my time, watching the videos from my iPad while traveling overseas, and practicing on my Macbook Pro. When I returned to the States, I passed both tests in short order, and did well on them. These two guys work together very well as a team, and they made it very enjoyable, while inspiring confidence in me throughout the entire process. Go PCU! Jonn Howell DataExperience, Inc. Certified FileMaker Developer
Read LessHigh Quality Course and Well-Worth Investment!
Sarah Stickfort
A five star course for sure! The course's intention statement is spot on... the streamlined study method did greatly enhance my level of understanding in key...
Read MoreA five star course for sure! The course's intention statement is spot on... the streamlined study method did greatly enhance my level of understanding in key areas of FileMaker and built my confidence in preparedness to take the 17 and 18 Certification exams. Marc and Stu are both excellent teachers! I had hovered at a score just above passing on all my (five) prior exams - I went into the exams nervous about whether I had studied correctly and enough, and came out "nervous" that I was so close to the passing score. I definitely felt more prepared going into the 17 and 18 exams and my higher scores reflected that I did in fact have a better understanding of the FileMaker Platform.
Read LessTo the Point
Sayed Bondok
Believe me exam taker, without seeing this course you'll never get the hidden meaning of lots of functions. studying function by reading or even practicing b...
Read MoreBelieve me exam taker, without seeing this course you'll never get the hidden meaning of lots of functions. studying function by reading or even practicing by your own is boring! but with this way of teaching you'll like it....Thanks P.C. guys for your efforts....
Read LessGreat Course, Awesome Service, I PASSED!
Joanne Bell
A great, helpful and informative course. I didn't understand one section in functions, and I requested help. "U Tu Stu" responded, explained and even upda...
Read MoreA great, helpful and informative course. I didn't understand one section in functions, and I requested help. "U Tu Stu" responded, explained and even updated the course to cover my question! That is awesome service. Way to go Productive Computing!
Read LessPassed!
Christi Palme
Thanks for putting this course together it was helpful and I felt confident after finishing the course that I would pass the test which I then did. :-)
Thanks for putting this course together it was helpful and I felt confident after finishing the course that I would pass the test which I then did. :-)
Read LessA great course... #PassedMyExam
Steve Slater
Stuart and Marc...thanks for this course. Ran through most of it at 2x speed, but it was just the ticket for prepping me for the exam, which I passed!
Stuart and Marc...thanks for this course. Ran through most of it at 2x speed, but it was just the ticket for prepping me for the exam, which I passed!
Read LessPASSED
Neal Frank
I am very pleased with the Cert Prep course. There is an enormous amount of information to go over and you all did a terrific job. I appreciated the effort, ...
Read MoreI am very pleased with the Cert Prep course. There is an enormous amount of information to go over and you all did a terrific job. I appreciated the effort, the humor, the tips for helping us remember. I am pleased to announce that I passed the exam and I am so grateful for this course. An area that I particularly needed help with was FileMaker Server and this course filled in a lot of holes in my knowledge.
Read LessFinally Passed
Michael Mayrhofer
After seven years of developing with FileMaker Pro and multiple attempts at certification, I managed to finally pass thanks to this excellently put together ...
Read MoreAfter seven years of developing with FileMaker Pro and multiple attempts at certification, I managed to finally pass thanks to this excellently put together course. I would strongly recommend anyone who is interested in getting certified to study this course intently. Great job Marc and Stu!
Read LessExcellent Material
Robert Jackson
This course provides a very useful insight to highlight and bridge any gaps in your FileMaker Developer skill set - very much appreciated the care taken here
This course provides a very useful insight to highlight and bridge any gaps in your FileMaker Developer skill set - very much appreciated the care taken here
Read LessAWESOME
Pierre COLIN
Hello Stu and Marc, I took your course to prepare for my certification. Even if it was not yet complete, I studied the modules available and the rest from t...
Read MoreHello Stu and Marc, I took your course to prepare for my certification. Even if it was not yet complete, I studied the modules available and the rest from the study guide, yesterday I passed the certification exam with a 76% (Pass = 59%)! I cannot thank you enough, I look forward to the next version of FileMaker and the next course! Thank you very much. Pierre
Read LessVery thorough and clear
Gary Sprung
Marc does a great job of demonstrating FileMaker's various ODBC connection methods. This is stuff I have little need for in my own work, but it's important f...
Read MoreMarc does a great job of demonstrating FileMaker's various ODBC connection methods. This is stuff I have little need for in my own work, but it's important for the certification test, so it's super helpful.
Read LessFAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which version of FileMaker does this course cover?
FileMaker 17 and 18 are both covered completely.
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Do I have to take this course to pass the FileMaker Certification exam?
No. However, it is our experience and belief that this course significantly reduces the necessary study time and increases the overall retention rate of all of the information studied, which gives you a better return on investment of your time spent.
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Why should I get certified if my current company/employer does not require it?
Continually improving your skills can increase job security. Employers generally like to see employees striving for maximum productivity, not minimal effort. Additionally, you will be more attractive to potential employers if you are certified.
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Is the course really worth the investment?
We believe so. Our own personal experience (and confirmed by many students) is that the structure and presentation style significantly decrease the time it would take to wade through the official study guide resources on our own without the guidance of the videos. In addition, being a FileMaker Certified Developer not only makes you more employable and attractive to new clients, but also ensures that you know the entire platform on a deeper level with increased skills needed to handle more complex projects.
Prerequisites
This course assumes the following prerequisites:
You have access to a recent model computer that runs Windows or Macintosh operating systems and access to an iOS device.
- You have a licensed copy of version 17 or 18 of FileMaker Pro Advanced and FileMaker Server
- You understand basic FileMaker terminology and you are familiar with all aspects of the FileMaker platform - FileMaker Pro Advanced, FileMaker Go, FileMaker Server, and FileMaker WebDirect.
Course Disclaimer
Simply watching this course does not guarantee passing of the FileMaker Certification exam.
Mastery of the necessary skills requires attentive engagement and additional individual action to validate comprehension.
The viewer is responsible for their own ability to demonstrate the knowledge learned to pass the exam.
Your Instructors

Instructional Design Specialist
Stuart Hite

President/CEO/Founder Productive Computing, Inc.
Marc Larochelle