Connect to Google Sheets Data Using the Script Function in Claris FileMaker Pro

Claris FileMaker is a low-code database application development tool that enables users to create custom apps for managing and organizing data. It combines a powerful relational database engine with an intuitive interface, allowing both technical and non-technical users to design and deploy applications across desktop, web, and mobile platforms.

In this article, we'll explore how to use the CData ODBC Driver for Google Spreadsheets and FileMaker scripting to connect to Google Sheets data.

Create an ODBC Data Source for Google Sheets

If you have not already, first specify connection properties in an ODBC DSN (data source name). This is the last step of the driver installation. You can use the Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator to create and configure ODBC DSNs.

You can connect to a spreadsheet by providing authentication to Google and then setting the Spreadsheet connection property to the name or feed link of the spreadsheet. If you want to view a list of information about the spreadsheets in your Google Drive, execute a query to the Spreadsheets view after you authenticate.

ClientLogin (username/password authentication) has been officially deprecated since April 20, 2012 and is now no longer available. Instead, use the OAuth 2.0 authentication standard. To access Google APIs on behalf on individual users, you can use the embedded credentials or you can register your own OAuth app.

OAuth also enables you to use a service account to connect on behalf of users in a Google Apps domain. To authenticate with a service account, register an application to obtain the OAuth JWT values.

See the Getting Started chapter in the help documentation to connect to Google Sheets from different types of accounts: Google accounts, Google Apps accounts, and accounts using two-step verification.

When you configure the DSN, you may also want to set the Max Rows connection property. This will limit the number of rows returned, which is especially helpful for improving performance when designing reports and visualizations.

Connect and Sync Google Sheets data with FileMaker Using Scripts

In this section, we walk through the steps to connect live Google Sheets data to FileMaker using the CData ODBC Driver for Google Spreadsheets and the Script function. During the initial import, FileMaker brings in all data from the external data source. From the second import onward, it updates only the data that has changed in the external source (a differential update). You can also replace the data in the current record order and schedule these differential updates for automated syncing.

You can download and install the latest version of FileMaker Pro for your Mac/Windows/Linux systems from this link.

Connect and sync Google Sheets data with FileMaker using scripts

Scripting in FileMaker automates complex tasks and workflows by running a sequence of actions with a single command. By using scripting to integrate with Google Sheets, you can automatically connect to, import, update, and replace Google Sheets data within your FileMaker applications, streamlining data management and improving efficiency.

First-time importing and adding Google Sheets data using script

In this section, we'll use scripts to import Google Sheets data into FileMaker by following these steps:

1. Open FileMaker Pro. Navigate to Create from the left panel and select Blank > Create.

2. Enter a filename of your choice and click Save.
3. In the Manage Database window, go to the Tables tab and create or rename the table where you want to display the Google Sheets data.

4. In the Fields tab, create and add the fields you want to use in the table.

5. In the Relationships tab, add table relationships if there are multiple tables, then click OK.

6. To reopen and modify the table structure, go to File > Manage > Database.
7. Navigate to Scripts > Script Workspace.

8. Select New Script to open a new script workspace.
9. From the Steps panel on the right, select Records > Import Records > Insert into Script.

10. In the Specify Data Source dropdown, choose ODBC Data.
11. Select CData GoogleSheets Sys from the Select ODBC Data Source window, and click Continue. Enter your Google Sheets credentials and click OK.

12. In the Specify ODBC SQL Query dialog, enter the SQL query in the SQL text editor to import the desired Google Sheets data.

13. Alternatively, select Query Builder to open the SQL Query Builder window. Choose the target table from the Tables section and relevant columns from the Columns section. Click Insert into SQL Query after each selection to auto-generate the query. You can also manually edit the query using WHERE and ORDER BY clauses or the designated tabs. Click OK to finalize the query.

14. Click OK.
15. In the Specify import order option, click Specify and enter the Google Sheets credentials.

16. In the Specify Import Order window, define the import order for the target fields you added earlier. Select Add between the source and target fields to insert the Google Sheets data as new records in the table. Click Import.

17. The script now appears in the workspace. Click Run to execute the script and process the import.

18. FileMaker imports the Google Sheets data as a table.

Update or Replace Imported Google Sheets data Using a Script

After importing the Google Sheets data into FileMaker, use scripts to update or replace any changes made in Google Sheets by following this process:

1. Go back to the Script Workspace by following the steps mentioned in the earlier section.
2. Select the existing script, click the settings button, choose Specify under Specify Import Order, and re-enter the Google Sheets credentials to authenticate.

3. In the Specify Import Order window, choose Update between source and target to update the imported Google Sheets data. This updates the target's found set with Google Sheets data values from selected fields when the match fields have the same values. You must define at least one match field in the mapping and select the checkbox Add remaining data as new records. Click Import.

4. Alternatively, choose the Replace option instead of Update, based on your use case. This replaces the selected fields in the target's found set with Google Sheets data in the current record order. Click Import.

5. FileMaker adds the script to the workspace. Click Run to execute the script and process the import query.
6. FileMaker imports the updated or replaced Google Sheets data as a table.

Get Started Today

Download a free 30-day trial of CData ODBC Driver for Google Spreadsheets to integrate Google Sheets data into Claris FileMaker and work with Google Sheets data in your FileMaker applications.

Reach out to our Support Team if you have any questions.