Windows Outlook Compatibility with FileMaker Pro

Windows Outlook Compatibility with FileMaker Pro

If you encounter unexpected problems using Outlook as a client when using the “Send via Email Client” script step, this article may clear up your problems:

The FileMaker platform allows you to interact and exchange data with many different applications and technologies.  Besides being able to import and export data, the FileMaker platform allows for direct interactions with applications such as email clients to allow for sending FileMaker data to others.

FileMaker, Inc. has identified an issue on the Windows platform when trying to use FileMaker Pro to send emails using Microsoft Outlook.  When attempting to send mail using FileMaker Pro and Microsoft Outlook, the following could occur:

  • The email sent from FileMaker Pro is not sent as expected.
  • The email is not addressed properly and / or the “To:” field is blank.
  • The FileMaker Pro and / or Microsoft Outlook crash when sending mail with a PDF attachment.

EXPLANATION:

Starting with Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Outlook is available as a 32-bit and a 64-bit application.  Many of these issues between FileMaker and Microsoft Outlook stem from using a 32-bit application (FileMaker Pro) with a 64-bit mail application (Microsoft Outlook).  Microsoft has reported that mixing 32-bit applications and 64-bit applications in this way is not a supported configuration.

The terms “32-bit” and “64-bit” refer to the way a computer’s CPU handles information.  A 64-bit application or operating system can handle data in larger chunks and can point to or address larger amounts of physical memory (RAM) than 32-bit applications and operating systems can.  Because of the differences in architecture, a 64-bit application CANNOT run on a 32-bit operating system but a 32-bit application can, and in most cases, will run successfully on a 64-bit operating system.

The following knowledge base article from Microsoft provides additional information on using Microsoft Outlook with 32-bit and 64-bit applications.

Building MAPI Applications on 32-Bit and 64-Bit Platforms

There are two options available to help:

  • Send via SMTP Server
  • Via the Open URL script step

More…Microsoft Office / Outlook for Windows compatibility with FileMaker Pro | FileMaker.

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