Semantic Search in FileMaker: How to Use Vectors for Smarter Text and Image Queries

FileMaker 2025 introduces a groundbreaking set of vector and embedding functions, bringing semantic search directly into the platform. Instead of relying only on exact keyword matches, semantic search understands meaning and context, making it easier to surface the most relevant content—whether you’re querying text descriptions, product data, or even image metadata.

This shift opens the door to more intuitive, AI-powered search experiences inside FileMaker apps.

What Is Semantic Search?

Traditional search is literal: it looks for exact matches between keywords and fields. Semantic search, by contrast, uses AI vector embeddings to represent the meaning of text or images. Queries and records are transformed into vectors (mathematical representations), and results are ranked based on similarity—not just matching words.

For example:

  • A keyword search for “laptop” only finds exact matches.

  • A semantic search for “portable computer” will also surface “laptop,” “MacBook,” or “notebook” entries.

FileMaker’s New Vector Functions

FileMaker 2025 introduces vector operations that enable developers to normalize, compare, and manipulate embeddings directly. These include functions for:

  • Creating embeddings from text or image metadata

  • Normalizing vectors for consistent comparison

  • Adding and subtracting vectors to explore relationships between terms

  • Performing similarity searches to return the most relevant results

Real-World Use Cases

  • Product Catalog Search: Customers searching for “running shoes” will also find items described as “trainers” or “athletic sneakers.”

  • Knowledge Bases: Employees looking up “safety procedures” can also surface related documents like “workplace compliance” or “OSHA guidelines.”

  • Image Metadata: Searching “sunset” can bring up photos tagged with “dusk” or “evening,” even if the keyword doesn’t appear.

By embedding semantic search in FileMaker, businesses can create smarter, more user-friendly search experiences that save time and uncover hidden insights.

Why It Matters

Semantic search makes FileMaker solutions more intuitive for non-technical users. It reduces the frustration of missed results, supports more natural queries, and helps organizations unlock the full value of their data—text, documents, and images alike.

With vector and embedding functions, FileMaker 2025 brings the power of semantic search directly into your apps. From smarter text queries to image-based lookups, these tools provide context-aware search that delivers the right results faster.

Want to explore how semantic search in Claris FileMaker can transform your data experience? Reach out to Kyo Logic here.

 

How Claris Studio and FileMaker Now Work Together Seamlessly

With FileMaker 2025, Claris has taken a major step forward in unifying its platform. One of the most powerful enhancements is the seamless integration between Claris FileMaker and Claris Studio. Claris provides multiple ways to connect FileMaker with Claris Studio, including Claris Connect, which supports intelligent, trigger-based workflows. These connections make it possible to set up responsive, event-driven interactions—so your systems can exchange data seamlessly as soon as something important happens. Businesses can now securely publish FileMaker data directly into Claris Studio, opening the door to scalable web apps and external data collection tools—without the need for complex third-party integrations.

Secure External Access to FileMaker Data

Previously, extending FileMaker data beyond the organization often required custom APIs, plugins, or external hosting solutions. Now, Claris Studio provides a direct bridge, enabling developers to publish FileMaker data securely to the web. This makes it possible to:

  • Share data with clients or partners in a controlled environment

  • Create portals for vendors, contractors, or distributed teams

  • Collect inputs externally while keeping FileMaker as the system of record

Scalable Web Apps and Forms

Claris Studio isn’t just about basic web views. With support for 100,000+ records per view, Studio can handle enterprise-scale datasets. Developers can build:

  • Customer intake or service request forms

  • Survey and feedback systems

  • External dashboards for reporting and analysis

All of this runs on the Claris platform, reducing dependency on outside web frameworks.

No More Third-Party Workarounds

In the past, businesses often relied on middleware or custom development to extend FileMaker apps to the web. With Studio’s integration, those workarounds aren’t necessary. FileMaker remains the secure backend database, while Studio provides a modern, scalable front end for external access.

Why This Matters

For developers and businesses alike, the seamless connection between FileMaker and Claris Studio means:

  • Faster deployment of web-facing solutions

  • Lower costs by eliminating third-party hosting or integrations

  • Greater confidence in data security and compliance

  • More flexibility to expand FileMaker’s reach beyond internal teams

The integration of Claris Studio and FileMaker is a game-changer for organizations that need to extend their data beyond internal users. Whether it’s building external portals, scalable data collection apps, or secure reporting tools, you can now do it all within the Claris ecosystem.

Want to explore how Claris FileMaker and Claris Studio can streamline your web apps and data collection? Reach out to Kyo Logic here.

 

 

 

 

What is JSON and Why It’s Vital for Modern FileMaker Systems

If you’re still thinking of FileMaker as a standalone database for internal apps, you’re missing out on what makes it a modern business tool. A big part of that evolution? JSON.

Even if you’re not technical, understanding JSON will help you see why upgrading to FileMaker 2025 is critical for keeping your systems integrated, automated, and future-proof.

What is JSON?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight format for organizing and transmitting data. It’s the lingua franca of modern software, used by virtually every API, web app, and cloud service.

Think of JSON as a super-flexible digital form that can carry data like:

  • Customer records

  • Order details

  • Inventory updates

  • API responses

It’s structured, yet highly adaptable—perfect for dynamic systems that need to exchange data cleanly and consistently.

Why JSON Matters in FileMaker

Older FileMaker versions struggled to communicate with other apps because they couldn’t easily read or write data in JSON format. But in current versions, including FileMaker 2024 and 2025, JSON is fully embraced with powerful new capabilities and integration with other applications. FileMaker 2025 brings new JSON functions and significant performance enhancements to enable AI and manage significant data integrations.

This means you can now:

  • Integrate with APIs easily: Talk to web services like Slack, QuickBooks, Claris Studio, Shopify, or Salesforce.

  • Build better dashboards: Use structured JSON data to power analytics.

  • Simplify workflows: Claris Connect and Event-Driven Connect rely on JSON for payloads.

  • Store complex data structures: Store flexible, nested data directly in FileMaker without needing dozens of related tables.

  • Consolidate FileMaker scripting: JSON allows FileMaker elements to communicate far more effectively with other components greatly streamlining code and enhancing performance

Real-World Business Benefits

1. APIs & Automation

Want FileMaker to update your CRM, notify a Slack channel, or send customer data to QuickBooks? JSON is the bridge that makes it possible.

2. Cross-System Consistency

Instead of copy-pasting or manually re-entering data between apps, JSON enables automatic, structured data syncs.

3. Fewer Workarounds

In legacy systems, connecting to other apps required complex plug-ins or brittle workarounds. Now, native JSON support in FileMaker means cleaner, faster, and more reliable integrations.

4. Future-Proofing

Most modern SaaS apps speak JSON. If your FileMaker system can too, you’re set up for the next wave of digital transformation.

If your FileMaker system isn’t JSON-ready, you’re:

  • Stuck with manual processes

  • Limited in your ability to integrate with cloud apps

  • Slower to adapt to modern workflows

Upgrading to FileMaker 2025, with its newJSON capabilities, isn’t just about new features—it’s about ensuring your data can move, connect, and create value in an increasingly digital world.

Need help modernizing your FileMaker system? Contact us for a JSON-readiness assessment and let’s unlock your data’s full potential.

 

 

 

 

From Text to Query: Using Natural Language Search in FileMaker 2025

Searching for data in a database often requires knowing the exact fields, operators, and syntax—something that can slow down even experienced users. With FileMaker 2025, that barrier is gone thanks to the new Find by Natural Language feature, which lets you search your data using plain English.

This update bridges the gap between human-friendly input and database-driven insights, making it easier for teams to quickly get the answers they need without technical expertise.

How Natural Language Search Works

The Find by Natural Language feature uses built-in AI capabilities to interpret your request, translate it into a structured query, and return the relevant records—all without you touching a search operator or complex find request.

Example searches you could run:

  • “Show all orders over $5,000 placed in the last 90 days”

  • “List employees who started in the marketing department this year”

  • “Find customers in New York with overdue invoices”

FileMaker processes the plain text and runs the correct SQL query or FileMaker Find operation in the background.

Why It’s a Game-Changer for Users and Developers

For users, it means no more guessing at field names or filtering options—just type what you want in everyday language. For developers, it means fewer custom search layouts, simplified training, and the ability to make complex datasets accessible to everyone in the organization.

Real-World Applications

  • Sales teams can quickly pull customer lists without relying on IT support

  • Customer service teams can filter service tickets by status or priority in seconds

  • Operations teams can review inventory or shipping records with a single request

By lowering the learning curve, Natural Language Search encourages more engagement with your data, which leads to better, faster decision-making.

The Find by Natural Language feature in FileMaker 2025 transforms how teams interact with data. Instead of navigating complex search tools, users can simply type their request in plain English and let FileMaker handle the rest.

Want to see how Claris FileMaker can make your data more accessible and actionable? Reach out to Kyo Logic here.

 

 

 

Building AI-Enhanced Workflows in FileMaker 2025: What You Can Do Now

FileMaker 2025 introduces native AI and large language model (LLM) capabilities, giving developers the power to build intelligent workflows without relying on complex integrations or external tools. From generating content to interpreting natural language queries, these new features make it possible to deliver smarter, faster, and more intuitive applications—directly within the FileMaker ecosystem.

Prompt-Based Scripting for Dynamic Content

The new Generate Response from Model script step allows you to send prompts directly to supported AI providers (such as OpenAI or Cohere) and bring the results back into FileMaker instantly. This enables dynamic content creation and on-demand text generation inside your custom apps.

Example use cases:

  • Summarizing long client emails for faster review

  • Drafting proposals or status updates directly in FileMaker

  • Generating consistent, branded responses for customer service teams

Natural Language Queries for Data Access

With Perform SQL Query / Find by Natural Language, users can search for records using plain English instead of technical query syntax. FileMaker interprets the request, converts it into an SQL or Find operation, and delivers the matching results in real time.

Example use cases:

  • “Show all invoices from the past six months over $5,000”

  • “List customers who purchased product X last year”

This feature lowers the barrier for non-technical team members while speeding up information retrieval.

Reusable Prompt Templates and Predictive Analytics

Developers can now configure Prompt Templates and ML Regression Models for AI-driven workflows that are consistent and repeatable. Predictive analytics can be embedded directly into business processes, enabling smarter forecasting and decision-making.

Example use cases:

  • Predicting future sales based on historical trends

  • Creating reusable AI prompts for marketing copy or internal reports

Why This Matters

By integrating AI natively, FileMaker 2025 eliminates the friction of managing third-party tools for AI features. Businesses can now:

  • Build custom AI-powered workflows tailored to their industry

  • Keep sensitive data inside the trusted FileMaker environment

  • Give teams natural language tools for faster, more accurate work

  • Deliver more responsive and intelligent applications without heavy coding

The AI and LLM features in FileMaker 2025 aren’t just a glimpse of the future—they’re tools you can use right now to make your apps smarter and your workflows more efficient. From natural language queries to dynamic, AI-generated content, these capabilities open new possibilities for innovation inside your existing solutions.

Want to see how Claris FileMaker’s AI features can transform your workflows? Reach out to Kyo Logic here.

 

 

What’s New in Script Workspace: Collapse Logic, Navigate Faster

For developers, FileMaker’s Script Workspace is the engine room of app building. It’s where logic takes shape, processes are automated, and workflows come to life. With FileMaker 2025, Claris has introduced several updates that make Script Workspace faster, cleaner, and more efficient—helping developers stay focused on building instead of battling clutter.

Code Folding: Collapse and Expand Script Parts

The standout improvement is code folding, which lets developers collapse sections of scripts for easier navigation. Long scripts that once required endless scrolling can now be folded into concise blocks. This means you can:

  • Hide complex logic until you need it

  • Focus on the section you’re actively editing

  • Keep large scripts more organized and readable

For teams working with multi-step processes or deeply nested conditions, this feature alone saves hours of effort.

New Script Step: Go to List of Records

FileMaker 2025 also introduces the Go to List of Records step, simplifying navigation between found sets and layouts. Instead of writing multiple steps to manage record navigation, developers can now leverage this single, streamlined command based on the underlying record IDs.

This makes it easier to build user flows that jump between record views and improves efficiency for solutions that rely heavily on search results.

Faster Script Navigation

On top of new functionality, Script Workspace now includes smarter navigation tools:

  • Improved find and search within scripts

  • Better handling of script parts for organization

  • More intuitive movement through nested logic

These refinements may seem small individually, but together they create a more polished, developer-friendly experience.

Why Developers Will Love These Updates

Script Workspace is where developers spend much of their time, and every improvement compounds over long projects. By collapsing complex logic, navigating faster, and leveraging new script steps, developers can build and maintain FileMaker solutions more efficiently than ever before.

FileMaker 2025’s Script Workspace improvements give developers the tools to work smarter, not harder. From collapsing script logic to navigating found sets with a single step, these enhancements streamline the development process and reduce complexity.

Want to take advantage of FileMaker 2025’s new developer tools? Reach out to Kyo Logic here.