Make your FileMaker system accessible from any web browser.
FileMaker WebDirect lets your users access the system through a standard browser without installing FileMaker Pro. Most existing FileMaker systems were not built with WebDirect in mind and need specific changes before they work properly.
BasicData builds new WebDirect-ready FileMaker systems and updates existing ones for browser compatibility. We know where the edge cases are and how to resolve them.
What WebDirect compatibility actually involves.
Enabling WebDirect is not just a server setting. The browser renders FileMaker layouts, scripts, and navigation differently to the desktop client. A system that works perfectly in FileMaker Pro can behave unpredictably in the browser without specific changes to layouts, scripts, and server configuration.
WebDirect compatibility audit of existing system
Layout redesign optimised for browser rendering
Script and trigger compatibility fixes
Navigation, portal, and popover optimisation
Performance profiling and load time optimisation
Login, session management, and security setup
Mobile browser testing and adjustments
FileMaker Server WebDirect configuration
User rollout support and training
Most FileMaker systems were never designed for WebDirect.
WebDirect has been part of the FileMaker platform since version 13, but most systems built before or during that period were designed for the desktop client. Layouts are sized for desktop screens, scripts use functions that are not supported in the browser, and navigation patterns assume FileMaker Pro behaviour. Getting WebDirect working properly means systematically finding and fixing each of these.
BasicData has been building and optimising FileMaker systems for WebDirect since it was introduced. We know which layout patterns cause browser rendering issues, which script steps have no WebDirect equivalent, and how to configure FileMaker Server correctly for a stable WebDirect deployment.
We are a registered member of the Claris FileMaker Business Alliance, the formal partner programme for professional FileMaker development companies.
Businesses that need FileMaker in the browser without rebuilding from scratch.
Our WebDirect clients range from businesses deploying FileMaker to users who do not need the full desktop client, to organisations that want to give external contractors or clients browser-based access to a specific part of their system. If you need more people in your FileMaker system without the overhead of FileMaker Pro licences for every user, WebDirect is worth understanding properly.
Questions about FileMaker WebDirect.
What it is, why existing systems often do not work in the browser, and how to fix it.
What is FileMaker WebDirect?
FileMaker WebDirect is a Claris technology that serves your FileMaker system through a standard web browser. Users access the system without installing FileMaker Pro. It uses the same database, scripts, and layouts as your existing FileMaker solution, rendered in the browser via FileMaker Server.
Can any existing FileMaker system be made WebDirect compatible?
Most systems can be made WebDirect compatible, but the amount of work varies significantly. Systems built without WebDirect in mind typically have layouts, scripts, and navigation patterns that do not translate well to the browser. A compatibility audit tells you exactly what needs to change before any work begins.
Why does my system not work properly in WebDirect already?
FileMaker WebDirect renders layouts differently to FileMaker Pro. Common issues include: scripts that use unsupported functions, popovers and card windows that behave differently in the browser, layouts designed for desktop dimensions that do not adapt to smaller screens, and plugins that have no WebDirect equivalent. Each of these has a specific fix.
Is WebDirect slow?
WebDirect performance depends on server capacity, network conditions, and how the layouts are built. A poorly optimised WebDirect layout will be slow. A well-optimised one is fast enough for most operational workflows. Server-side performance and layout design are the two biggest levers, and both are within your control.
How does WebDirect licensing work?
WebDirect access requires a Claris FileMaker Server licence with concurrent connection slots for WebDirect users. It does not require individual FileMaker Pro licences for browser users, which is one of the main cost advantages when deploying to a large number of users.
Should we use WebDirect or build a custom web app instead?
WebDirect is the right choice when your users need access to the full FileMaker system from a browser, and the system is already well-structured. A custom web app makes more sense for public-facing portals, highly designed consumer interfaces, or scenarios where only a subset of FileMaker data needs to be exposed. We will tell you which is right for your situation.
Can you host our FileMaker Server for WebDirect?
Yes. We host FileMaker Server for WebDirect deployments on dedicated infrastructure. WebDirect places more load on the server than FileMaker Pro client access, so we size the hosting environment appropriately for your concurrent user count.
Tell us about your WebDirect requirements.
Let us know whether you have an existing system you want to make WebDirect compatible, or whether you are starting a new build with WebDirect in mind. We will scope the work from there.