Filemaker Pro uses a proprietary format to store its data, and, as such, its files cannot be read directly by Postage $aver. However, it is easy to send files from Filemaker Pro to Postage $aver and back again.

To prepare a Filemaker Pro file to be read by Postage $aver, first find the records you want to include in your mailing. Then export the records to a new file. (Choose "tab-separated" as your export file type.) That's all there is to it.

If you want to be able to sort your Filemaker Pro file in the same order as Postage $aver's Bulk Mail Sort Report, create four new fields in your Filemaker Pro file as follows:
Sack Number (Number)
Package Number (Number)
Zip Number (Number)
Endorsement Line (Text)

Then, without changing the group of found records you used when exporting your file, import the P$sort.1 file created by Postage $aver. (You'll find it in the same folder as Postage $aver.) Be sure to check "Replace data in current found set" when importing. Align your new fields with the fields in the P$sort.1 file in the order in which they are listed above. (You don't need to import the endorsement line if you don't plan to use it.) Then, import.

(The P$sort.1 file is only created when you check "Create Output File" on Postage $aver's Preferences window on the Settings menu. Sorry, unregistered users cannot create this file.) 

Now, sort your found records, in ascending order, by Sack Number, Package Number and Zip Number. They will now be in the same order as on the sort report.

Automating Postage $aver with a Filemaker Pro script:
One handy way to automate this procedure is with a Filemaker Pro script, which is particularly helpful if you are running System 7 or later and can use apple events. Immediately after following the procedure above, (while the export, import and sort instructions are still stored in the Filemaker Pro file), create the following script:

Export 
Check:restore export order, perform without dialog, specify file <your export file>

Send Apple Event 
Check: open application, bring target application to the foreground, wait for event completion before continuing, specify application <Postage $aver>

Pause/Resume Script

Import
Check: restore export order, perform without dialog, specify file <P$sort.1>

Sort
Check: restore sort order, perform without dialog

This script will automatically export the file and open Postage $aver.  After Postage $aver has sorted the file, quit Postage $aver and click "continue" to finish the script by importing the sorting sequence and endorsement lines and sorting your Filemaker Pro file.


Filemaker Pro is a trademark of Claris Corporation.