Connect to TaxJar 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 TaxJar and FileMaker scripting to connect to TaxJar data.

Create an ODBC Data Source for TaxJar

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.

To authenticate to the TaxJar API, first obtain the API Key from the TaxJar UI.

NOTE: the API is available only for Professional and Premium TaxJar plans.

If you already have a Professional or Premium plan you can find the API Key by logging in the TaxJar UI and navigating to Account -> TaxJar API. After obtaining the API Key, you can set it in the APIKey connection property.

Additional Notes

• By default, the CData connector will retrieve data of the last 3 months in cases where the entity support date range filtering. You can set StartDate to specify the minimum creation date of the data retrieved.
• If the API Key has been created for a sandbox API account please set UseSandbox to true, but not all endpoints will work as expected. For more information, refer to the TaxJar developer documentation.

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 TaxJar data with FileMaker Using Scripts

In this section, we walk through the steps to connect live TaxJar data to FileMaker using the CData ODBC Driver for TaxJar 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 TaxJar 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 TaxJar, you can automatically connect to, import, update, and replace TaxJar data within your FileMaker applications, streamlining data management and improving efficiency.

First-time importing and adding TaxJar data using script

In this section, we'll use scripts to import TaxJar 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 TaxJar 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 TaxJar Sys from the Select ODBC Data Source window, and click Continue. Enter your TaxJar 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 TaxJar 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 TaxJar 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 TaxJar 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 TaxJar data as a table.

Update or Replace Imported TaxJar data Using a Script

After importing the TaxJar data into FileMaker, use scripts to update or replace any changes made in TaxJar 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 TaxJar credentials to authenticate.

3. In the Specify Import Order window, choose Update between source and target to update the imported TaxJar data. This updates the target's found set with TaxJar 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 TaxJar 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 TaxJar data as a table.

Get Started Today

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

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