The instructions here assume you are using a Mac running OS X10.4, but use of any other OS should work similarly. Make sure that the remote database to which you are trying to connect exists, that it has the read-only login credentials you expect, and that the computer you are using to create the opener file has network access that allows it to connect to the remote database.

Relax! This is easier than it sounds. The steps are all easy, and I put in so many only so that I wouldn't miss anything.

CAUTIONS:

1. Don't accidentally create a file with read-write access. You should use a UserID and Password for read-only access (unless you want casual users to be able to modify or delete the database contents).
   
   
2. Create openers only for files that are "limited access" in the sense that they can only be accessed from the school network and premises.
   
   
3. Take steps to ensure that the opener file is not placed on computers or computer accounts that could be used by unauthorized people.
   
   
4. Remember that the opener file can be emailed from one user to another, so those receiving the file should be warned about its possibly sensitive nature.

PROCEDURE:

1. Start the FileMaker application. The computer you use should have access to the network containing the target database file. "Have Access" means that you are actually connected to the remote folder containing the database so you can see it in the Finder (or Windows Explorer, if you are using a PC).
   
   
2. Choose to create a new, empty database.
   
   
3. When the "Create a new file named:" dialog box pops up, name the file. It will have an ".fp7" extension by default. These instructions assume that the new file will be named "Opener.fp7", but it can have any name you want as long as it has an ".fp7" extension.
   
   
4. A new window for the file titled "Opener" will pop up, as will a dialog box titled "Manage Database for 'Opener' ".
   
   
5. Shrink the size of the "Opener" window as small as you can get it. The user won't need it, and neither will you.
   
   
6. In the "Manage Database for 'Opener' " window, just click OK. The file will have no Tables, Fields, or Relationships.
   
   
7. Under the "Scripts" menu select "ScriptMaker".
   
   
8. In the "Manage Scripts" box select "New".
   
   
9. A new box opens titled "Edit Script".
   
   
10. The "Script Name box will say "New Script" for the name of the new script. Change this to "Opener", or whatever you want.
    
    
11. From the left-side panel scroll down to "Files" and double-click "Open File". This now appears in the right-side panel.
    
    
12. A selector called "Specify" appears on the lower right showing "<unknown>".
    
    
13. Click the selector and choose "Add FileMaker Data Source".
    
    
14. An "Open File" panel opens. Assuming the database you want to open is on the network, rather than local, press the "Remote" button.
    
    
15. An "Open Remote File" panel opens. In the "Hosts" panel "CGLXSERVE01 (10.190.128.11)" shows up (if you are at Coral Glades). Otherwise, find the host that you want.
    
    
16. Click "CGLXSERVE01" (or the server YOU want) and some Available Files will show up in the right panel, 7 in our case.
    
    
17. Click "Main Menu". This will cause the Network File Path to show up and will emphasize an "Open" button.
    
    
18. Click the "Open" button.
19. The "Main Menu" box disappears and in the "Edit Script" box the "Open File" command shows ["Main Menu"].
    
    
20. In the left panel double-click "Close File". When the script executes this will cause the "Opener" file (the one you are creating) to close after the Target file opens.
    
    
21. Close the "Edit Script" panel by clicking the red "Close" button on the window.
    
    
22. A dialog box will come up asking if you want to save the new script. Click "Save".
    
    
23. Click the red button to close the "Manage Scripts" panel.
    
    
24. In the menu bar choose "File/Manage/Accounts & Privileges".
    
    
25. Leave the box checked for the Admin account, and drag it to the top of the list, so that it is the first one tried when the script executes.
    
    
26. Click "OK", you DO want to change the order in which the scripts execute.
    
    
27. Double-click the Admin account in the "Manage Accounts & Privileges" panel. This brings up an "Edit Account" panel. Fill in the correct password for the admin account here and click "OK".
    
    
28. Click "OK in the "Manage Accounts & Privileges" panel at the bottom right.
    
    
29. A "Confirm Full Access Login" panel appears. Fill in the correct Access Account (probably "Admin") and Password. Then click "OK".
    
    
30. Choose Menubar item "File/File Options".
31. Set to "Login using Account Name and Password" and fill in the Admin account and its password.
    
    
32. Click "Perform Script" and when the "Specify Script" panel comes up choose "Opener" as the script to use. Click "OK".
    
    
33. Click "OK" at the right bottom of the "File Options" panel.
    
    
34. A dialog box appears: "This file will be opened automatically using the specified account. To use a differeent account, hold down the option key (Mac OS) or Shift key (Windows) whild opening the file." Click "OK".
    
    
35. Quit FileMaker.
    
    
36. Double-clicking your new file should open the database.

- Bob Beeman.