How to Import FileMaker Data into FoxPro for Macintosh

ID: Q118742

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft FoxPro for Macintosh, versions 2.5b, 2.5c

SUMMARY

Using FoxPro for Macintosh to import FileMaker Pro data files can cause several error messages, including "unable to locate data" and "data dictionary not found."

This article describes how to troubleshoot these and other problems and gives several methods of importing FileMaker data into FoxPro for Macintosh.

MORE INFORMATION

Troubleshooting Tips

All methods of importing FileMaker files, including the use of the APPEND FROM command, depend on several files being available:

The file to be appended from (the FileMaker data file)
MACIMP.APP, located in the FOXPRO:GOODIES:MISC folder
MACIMP.MLB, located in the System Folder:Extensions folder

Make sure these files are located in the specified location. In addition, make sure that the Apple Shared Library Manager (ASLM) is properly installed by issuing the following command in the Command window:

   SET LIBRARY TO MACIMP.MLB

If the ASLM has not been installed properly, an informative error message will be displayed. If MACIMP is not in the Extensions folder, the SET LIBRARY command will return the following error:

   API Library not found

If you still cannot import the file, try the following:

Disable the Macintosh extensions with the exception of the ASLM.
Try to open FoxPro objects (tables, screens, and so on) in the same volume or folder as the FileMaker file to be imported. If FoxPro cannot open FoxPro objects in the volume or folder where the FileMaker file is located, check for unusual volume or folder names; backslashes and hyphens in volume and folder names are unacceptable to FoxPro.

Methods of Importing FileMaker Files

If you have access to FileMaker, the best and easiest solution is to open the file in FileMaker and export the records in .DBF format. Using this method solves most data-conversion problems because the .DBF format is relatively simple compared to FileMaker's native file format. To export the records, choose Import/Export from FileMaker's File menu. In the Export Records dialog box, select the .DBF option from the File Type list box.

If the FileMaker table is a simple one (that is, the basic data types are used in the structure of the FileMaker table), FoxPro should be able to APPEND FROM the FileMaker table into an existing FoxPro table structure. However, if the FileMaker table contains any proprietary field types, such as calculated or auto-incrementing type fields, FoxPro will NOT be able to perform the import.

NOTE: If the FileMaker table has a simple structure, you may want to try using IMPORT.APP through the Run Application option instead of using APPEND FROM. IMPORT.APP is the front-end interface to the functionality built into MACIMP.APP and MACIMP.MLB. Running IMPORT.APP eliminates any possibility of user error in creating the table structure because IMPORT.APP creates the FoxPro table automatically.

Additional reference words: FoxMac 2.50b 2.50c convert translate migrate export open errmsg err msg datafile File Maker FileMakerPro databases KBCategory: kbother kbtshoot KBSubcategory:

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1996