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The application enables the creation of databases that can hold any kind of digital data, from simple words and numbers to images and video, databases that can be managed and accessed locally or worldwide via the internet.

The new version acknowledges the increased emphasis on Web usage, enabling databases to be automatically published on the Internet via the click of a button and a built-in web server. Furthermore, Web publishing has been enhanced to ensure that the 'look and functionality' of databases is more accurately reproduced on the Web.

The upgrade also incorporates support for ODBC,

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a multi-platform protocol that allows applications to read data from different database systems. FileMaker databases can therefore be accessed by a variety of word-processing, spreadsheet and search and query applications and are compatible with Access, Microsoft's database software.

The other emphasis in the upgrade is on improved usability. Users can import files in a number of standard formats including text, Lotus, CSV, DBF, DIF and SYLK and can drag and drop Microsoft Excel files directly into a database. It is also fully compatible with FileMaker Mobile, allowing data to be transferred to and read on a Palm OS device.

Other new capabilities include support for more graphics formats, new layout theme designs, new calculation functions and new design functions.

FileMaker Pro can be bought online in single or multiple licence formats; prices start at £219 for a single licence. FileMaker Pro 2.1v3 or later, FileMaker Pro Developer Edition 4.0 and FileMaker Developer 5 can be upgraded, starting at £125 for a single-licence.

For more info, check out the FileMaker Web site here.