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What is FileMaker's .fp5 format?
The file format with the extension .fp5 was used by FileMaker Pro 5, 5.5 and FileMaker Pro 6, which were produced between 1999 and 2004. FileMaker Pro 6, introduced in 2002, supported the import and export of XML files and the restriction or extension of existing search results for the first time. All FileMaker Pro versions mentioned are no longer executable under Mac OS X (except with Rosetta up to Mac OS X 10.6).
The .fp5 format of FileMaker databases only supports one data table per file. FileMaker Pro 5 to 6 can manage a maximum of 50 open files and therefore a maximum of 50 data tables. The maximum file size for FileMaker databases in .fp5 format is 2 GB.
Conversion to current FileMaker formats
FileMaker databases in .fp5 format can be converted to the more modern .fp7 format with FileMaker Pro 7 to 11. However, all the shortcomings of the .fp5 format remain, and converted files contain only one data table per file even after conversion. For this and other reasons, the FileMaker developer community at the time tended to recommend that existing FileMaker 5 solutions should not be converted, but rather redeveloped under the then new FileMaker Pro 7.
FileMaker 12 through 15 no longer support the .fp5 format
FileMaker databases in .fp5 format cannot be converted directly to the current .fmp12 format. FileMaker 12 to 15 no longer support the older .fp5 format, but do support the .fp7 format. Therefore, FileMaker databases in .fp5 format that were previously converted to the newer .fp7 format with FileMaker 7 to 11 can then be converted to the current .fmp12 format.
Conversion service for databases in .fp5 format
If you are still working with an older FileMaker database in .fp5 format and would like to switch to a more up-to-date FileMaker version, we will be happy to convert the databases or, if necessary, redevelop your database to the current FileMaker platform. If you are interested, please contact Contact us with us.
