FileMaker DevCast: Everything Claris FileMaker

Virtual lists are one of the most powerful and flexible techniques in FileMaker, giving developers the ability to generate custom reports, create dynamic pickers, and display complex data without storing it in fields.

We also look at advanced use cases, from scaling large data sets and handling character limits to applying conditional formatting, integrating with WebViewer for interactive tables, and exploring Kevin Frank’s MD5-hashed window method for running multiple virtual lists at once. 

Join our development team as we share real-world insights from recent API integration projects—including SharePoint, Shopify, QuickBooks, and Claris Connect. From handling authentication quirks to leveraging tools like Postman and n8n, this DevCast dives into the decisions, roadblocks, and solutions behind the systems we build. Whether you're navigating OAuth, working with REST vs. GraphQL, or exploring Claris Connect and workflow automation, there’s something here for every FileMaker pro and API tinkerer.

Join our development team as we share real-world insights from recent API integration projects—including SharePoint, Shopify, QuickBooks, and Claris Connect. From handling authentication quirks to leveraging tools like Postman and n8n, this DevCast dives into the decisions, roadblocks, and solutions behind the systems we build. Whether you're navigating OAuth, working with REST vs. GraphQL, or exploring Claris Connect and workflow automation, there’s something here for every FileMaker pro and API tinkerer.

In this episode of FileMaker DevCast, we dive into n8n—a flexible, low-code workflow automation platform that gives you total control over how your systems talk to each other.

We explore how n8n stacks up against tools like Zapier and Claris Connect, and walk through live examples of connecting Google Forms, FileMaker, email services, and even local AI agents. Learn how to build scalable, resilient automations—hosted on your own infrastructure or in the cloud—that will save you time.

You’ll hear about:

• Real-world n8n workflows with Google Sheets and FileMaker

• The power of "nodes" vs "zaps" and "connectors"

• Triggering flows with webhooks, timers, or file changes

• Using n8n with LLMs and vector stores for RAG-based AI

• The pros and trade-offs of local vs SaaS hosting

Whether you're automating internal tools or building next-gen AI workflows, this episode will show you new ways to think about integration.

In this episode of FileMaker DevCast, we dive into n8n—a flexible, low-code workflow automation platform that gives you total control over how your systems talk to each other.

We explore how n8n stacks up against tools like Zapier and Claris Connect, and walk through live examples of connecting Google Forms, FileMaker, email services, and even local AI agents. Learn how to build scalable, resilient automations—hosted on your own infrastructure or in the cloud—that will save you time.

You’ll hear about:

Real-world n8n workflows with Google Sheets and FileMaker

The power of "nodes" vs "zaps" and "connectors"

Triggering flows with webhooks, timers, or file changes

Using n8n with LLMs and vector stores for RAG-based AI

The pros and trade-offs of local vs SaaS hosting

Whether you're automating internal tools or building next-gen AI workflows, this episode will show you new ways to think about integration.

Joe, John, and Xandon were able to attend Claris Engage this week, at the Apple campus in Austin. They recorded a DevCast session while still in the capital of Texas, to recap some of their observations and experiences about the latest news and trends in the FileMaker ecosystem. 

Dan Smiley joined as our ever-illustrious host, along with a few more of our Portage Bay staff - Mike Ross, and our newest developers, Evan and Jillian. 

AI remains a prominent topic both at the conference and in our discussion, along with thoughts about LLMs, DevOps, Claris Studio, the Apple campus, and cheese.

Jump on in and listen to more of the details.

#Claris #FileMaker #DevCast #PortageBay #podcast #devs

Joe, John, and Xandon were able to attend Claris Engage this week, at the Apple campus in Austin. They recorded a DevCast session while still in the capital of Texas, to recap some of their observations and experiences about the latest news and trends in the FileMaker ecosystem. 

Dan Smiley joined as our ever-illustrious host, along with a few more of our Portage Bay staff - Mike Ross, and our newest developers, Evan and Jillian. 

AI remains a prominent topic both at the conference and in our discussion, along with thoughts about LLMs, DevOps, Claris Studio, the Apple campus, and cheese.

Jump on in and listen to more of the details.

The Portage Bay team welcomes Julie Sigfrinius, from Claris, to discuss plans for the upcoming Claris Engage 2025, which is less than three months away. Listen to hear key reasons why you should attend this 26th FileMaker developer conference. 

Get access to product updates and innovations, as well as Claris experts and leaders. Develop your skills through networking, mentoring, and training. 

Learn from the wealth of knowledge and experience that will be represented at Claris Engage. Be inspired by the success stories and innovative use cases that will be shared. Plus foster stronger connections within the Claris community.

Here are some things you can look forward to in Austin, Texas, from March 25th through March 27th. Register today at claris.com/engage.

1. Keynote location large enough to fit all attendees (gone is the overflow room!)
2. Full floor expo hall, for plentiful space and visibility.
3. Plentiful networking time has been built into the schedule, to allow for important connections and collaboration.
4. A training day follows the main conference, so you can put your learning into action.
5. The Claris Museum! Curated by Clay Maeckel and featuring artifacts from 40 years of Claris history.
6. The return of Tech Support Central, offering on-site technical assistance.
7. A Visionary Bar where you can consult with Claris design experts.
8. The return of DevCon To Go, from Claus at DataManix. Rebranded as Engage To Go (Maps, scheduling, and note-taking!)
9. A quiet room for mindfulness and relaxation.
10. Get your merch! Choose from a selection of Claris and Engage branded items.

The Portage Bay team welcomes Julie Sigfrinius, from Claris, to discuss plans for the upcoming Claris Engage 2025, which is less than three months away. Listen to hear key reasons why you should attend this 26th FileMaker developer conference. 

Get access to product updates and innovations, as well as Claris experts and leaders. Develop your skills through networking, mentoring, and training. 

Learn from the wealth of knowledge and experience that will be represented at Claris Engage. Be inspired by the success stories and innovative use cases that will be shared. Plus foster stronger connections within the Claris community.

Here are some things you can look forward to in Austin, Texas, from March 25th through March 27th. Register today at claris.com/engage.

In Episode 20 of the FileMaker DevCast, join our ⁠Portage Bay⁠ developers as they talk web apps. Charles, Jacob, Joe, John, Mike, & Russell discuss the nuances of deciding what approach to use when integrating FileMaker data with a web front-end. Do you stick with ⁠WebDirect⁠, branch out to using ⁠FM BetterForms⁠, or commit to full-stack development?

WebDirect has an advantage of proven simplicity. But it also comes with limitations, such as a non-standard web experience and licensing costs for public-facing applications. 

FM Better Forms can be an excellent fit when you want to provide a polished, web-based user experience while still leveraging your FileMaker expertise. FM BetterForms can reduce development complexity by handling the back-end integration, deployment, and maintenance tasks that would normally be required in a full-stack web app approach. It also includes common front-end libraries - such as ⁠Tailwind⁠, ⁠Bootstrap⁠, and ⁠Lodash⁠ - that are kept updated for you.

(NOTE: FM BetterForms is not currently compatible with FileMaker Cloud, since Cloud does not yet support XML web publishing.)

Listen to the episode, subscribe to our channel, and send us your feedback!

#Claris #FileMaker #webapps #WebDirect #FMBetterForms #fullstack #Tailwind #Bootstrap #Lodash #devs #DevCast #calbee #shrimpchips #wasabi #hoisin