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.