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What is ODBC in relation to FileMaker?
ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) is a standardized database interface that can be used to access other databases via SQL. ODBC drivers are available for many different database systems. ODBC drivers are managed under Windows and Mac OS X within an ODBC administrator area. FileMaker includes an ODBC interface that makes it possible to access other database systems directly from FileMaker and use the remote data tables as an external data source in FileMaker.Setting up an ODBC data source
To set up ODBC data sources, an installed administration program for ODBC data sources is required on Windows and MacOS.ODBC administrator under Windows
This software is already available on the Windows system. To start the ODBC Administrator, simply enter "ODBC" in the Windows 10 search field, for example, and then select the entry "Set up ODBC data sources". The ODBC Administrator will then open to set up new ODBC data sources.ODBC administrator on the Mac
Since Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard", Apple no longer provides an ODBC administrator with the operating system. Therefore, the software must be installed subsequently in order to be able to add ODBC data sources. One of these programs is the free ODBC Manager, which can be downloaded from the following URL: https://www.odbcmanager.net Click on "Download ODBC Manager" on the odbcmanager.net website to download the software to your Mac. Make sure that your security settings in the system settings under [Security] are set to "no restrictions" to be able to install the software on your system. Activate the DMG image of the ODBC Manager and start the installation program.
Confirm the dialogs of the installation program and click on the button [Install]to install the ODBC Manager on your Mac.
Download ODBC-Connector for database
With the ODBC Manager, you now have the option of installing any ODBC drivers (ODBC connectors) to access remote databases. ODBC connectors are available for many different database systems such as MySQL, Oracle, MS SQL, IBM DB/2 and many more. In our example, we will create a data source for MySQL - the database system on which many web systems and online stores are based. To download an ODBC connector for MySQL databases, enter the following URL in your web browser: https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/connector/odbc/ In the field [Select Platform] If necessary, select your operating system and download the ODBC connector suitable for your operating system version. If possible, select the "DMG Archive" version. No registration is required for the download; simply select the URL "No thanks, just start my download" on the download page. Now activate the downloaded DMG image and start the installation by clicking on the installation program.
During the installation, the administrator password of your Mac may be requested. Once the installation is complete, you can start setting up the ODBC Connector in the ODBC Manager.
Set up ODBC Connector in the ODBC Manager
To set up the ODBC Connector, start the previously installed ODBC Manager, which is now located in the folder [Utilities] of your program folder.
You can set up an ODBC data source as a so-called "user DSN" or as a "system DSN". The difference between these two options is quickly explained: An ODBC data source as a user DSN is only available for the user active during installation, an ODBC data source as a system DSN is automatically available for every user on your Mac.
To add a new ODBC data source, click on the ODBC Manager button [Add...].
Now select the ODBC driver for your database in this dialog. For our example with a MySQL database, select the entry "MySQL ODBC 5.x Driver", whereupon the following dialog appears:
First enter a unique name in the [Name of the data source (DSN)] and optionally a description. Now click on the button [Add] and add the following keywords to the data source definition:
- Keyword: SERVER - Value: Server URL the database to be addressed
- Keyword: PORT - Value: 3306 (Standard SQL)
- Keyword: USER - Value: User name the database
- Keyword: PASSWORD - Value: password the database
- Keyword: DATABASE - Value: Name of the database
- Keyword: SSLCA - value (optional): SSL certificateif the connection is secured via SSL.
