FileMaker Integrates with New Microsoft Office '03

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FileMaker Integrates with New Microsoft Office 2003

XML support and end-user 'drag-and-drop' make it simple to exchange data between FileMaker, Excel and Word

AUCKLAND, New Zealand -22 October 2003 - FileMaker announced that its popular FileMaker Pro 6 database software provides features that allow for an easy two-way flow of data between FileMaker and Microsoft Word 2003 and Excel 2003. Providing XML support so developers can build seamless integration between applications, FileMaker Pro multiplies the value of data by delivering it in the format and application that is best for users.

To make the XML integration even easier, FileMaker provides a variety of XSLT style sheets at its free XML library at www.filemaker.com/xml/xslt_library.html, including style sheets that export FileMaker data directly into Excel and Word XML files.

FileMaker Pro, a leading database used by enterprise workgroups and small businesses, has had a long history of data integration with Microsoft applications, other desktop applications and large enterprise systems. In addition, FileMaker Pro 6 has offered two-way data exchange via XML support since it was introduced in 2002.

The Analysts View on FileMaker XML Support

"With the XML support in FileMaker Pro 6, developers and power users can create solutions that connect workgroups and other users with a virtually limitless number of other applications," said Ronald Schmelzer, senior analyst for ZapThink, a market research firm focusing exclusively on XML and web services. "Building upon earlier support of XML, FileMaker Pro 6 has made integrated XML import and export an inherent part of the application."

"FileMaker Pro 6 support for XML import and export along with its ability to easily link to an XSL style sheet provides a simple way for developers to create merged documents from Microsoft Word and other Office products by using FileMaker add-ons such as EZxslt from Chaparral (www.chapsoft.com/ezxslt ) or style sheets they have developed themselves. This has added powerful new capabilities to a number of the packages I have developed" says Matt Sawyer, Director of Australia's, Information for Business. Getting More From Excel With FileMaker For the everyday Excel user, FileMaker Pro 6 also has a simple drag-and-drop conversion feature. Microsoft Excel spreadsheets can be instantly converted into FileMaker databases by simply dragging and dropping the spreadsheet over a FileMaker icon. Converting Excel spreadsheet data into a database format allows the user to perform searches, publish to the web, import and store images and sound, print reports and more.

"Most lab researchers use Excel in some capacity to manage lab data. Since the interface between Excel and FileMaker is so easy, it's simple to extend Excel beyond disjointed sets of spreadsheets to a FileMaker Pro relational database," says Dr. Robert Williams, of the University of Tennessee's Informatics Center of Mouse Neurogenetics.

FileMaker Pro 6 features several other interoperability capabilities for Microsoft and non-Microsoft applications including:

"Drag-and drop" conversion for converting Excel spreadsheets into FileMaker databases.

* FileMaker Pro allows Microsoft Word users to export data from a FileMaker Pro database and use it with Word documents, such as email campaigns and mail merging.

* Two-way data exchange between FileMaker Pro database and an Excel spreadsheet using XML as the import and export interface. This is especially helpful when financial data is being used for both accounting and inventory or ordering systems using Excel and FileMaker.

* Support for enterprise database standards such as ODBC and JDBC so workgroups can exchange data with enterprise applications.

* FileMaker support for multi-operating systems support for Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, Citrix terminals, Palm OS, PocketPC and i-Mode.

About FileMaker

FileMaker is a leader in workgroup databases and workgroup information solutions. Unlike complex database software, the FileMaker intuitive interface empowers knowledge workers to create and share rich solutions. The award-winning FileMaker line of database software provides relational power, instant and custom Web publishing and legendary ease-of-use. FileMaker, Inc. is the database software subsidiary of Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL). (www.filemaker.com.au)

C2003 FileMaker, Inc. All rights reserved. FileMaker is a trademark of FileMaker, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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