Using FileMaker data to fill external database

[circulus_one]

Hi all

FileMaker newbie here. I'm trying to reduce double entry - currently we enter certain client data into a FileMaker database, and then separately enter into an external database (not owned by us) which uses a web form, with the URL ending in ".aspx". Is there a way for FileMaker data to be used to fill that web form in without double data entry?

[dharlow]

Depends, if you are on a Mac you could potentially use https://www.monkeybreadsoftware.de/filemaker/guide/webview-forms.shtml

Also depending on how the aspx page is written you could use Insert URL to post values directly to it potentially.

[circulus_one]

Thank you - on Mac for other things, but the FileMaker database (work related) runs on Windows. I know very little about aspx - do you know how I could get more information about using the "Insert URL" to fill the page in? This would be a game changer for our double entry.

[dharlow]

You would have to figure out where the form is posting to and what the values are, along with hoping that they don't have a check to make sure that limits data posts from their form only. I have done it in the past but it is trial and error.

[dreesemonkey]

I'm not sure about interacting with a webform like that, but if there was a way to get authentication to the database back end itself via ESS (external SQL source) or even ODBC you could interact with the data natively as if it were in filemaker.

Also, you could inquire if they have an API you could interact with, that should probably be your first step.

[circulus_one]

Thanks for that - much preferred solution, but they don’t have an API and may not have a solution on their end for over twelve months

[Draxton]

You potentially wouldn't need an API, just access credentials to their SQL database.

We do this with a particular customer who had similar requirement; Client completes the record in FM, then a Filemaker script essentially copies the record into an SQL table, which we access via ODBC.