FileMaker 2026: Developer Productivity Enhancements
As well as the customer facing UI enhancements, FileMaker 26 has a number of 'under the hood' tool enhancements for long standing developers:
- Enhanced Inspector - layout controls dynamically adjust based on the object type, reading the cognitive load of navigating the Layout Mode tools for new and veteran developers alike.
- Control Field Entry by Calculation - field level editablity is now controlled by a boolean calculation that evaluates at runtime based on any developer defined logic. This makes building role based editing or workflow based record locking much easier to implement.
- Sort Custom Functions with Folders - this now is applied at an independent folder level, making it much easier to work with distributing a shared function library that needs to display in a specific order.
- Set Layout Zoom by Calculation - the UI zoom can now be scripted to any decimal percentage, making it easier to make layouts which adapt to a specific user or device screen size requirements.
- Draco Catalog - FileMaker 2026 now includes a persistent catalog which is independent from the application data which can be used for storing JavaScript modules and persistent solution-level settings (app versions, feature flags and environment identifiers).
- PDF Script Workspace - dedicated script steps have been added for PDF manipulation which makes the generation of multi-page reports assembled from different layouts both using FileMaker Pro client and via FileMaker Server.
Need help to upgrade to FileMaker 26?
At DataTherapy, we specialise in supporting and upgrading legacy FileMaker apps as well as building new custom apps to leverage the latest features of the Claris FileMaker 26 platform. Whether you need training, support, cloud hosting or are ready to go all-in on developing a new app from scratch—we can help.
β Certified Claris FileMaker Developers
β UK-based team of full-time professionals
β Platinum Claris Partner
β Experts in secure, on-premise and private cloud deployment of FileMaker
π Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how local FileMaker can help your team move faster, work smarter, and stay fully in control of your data.











