What is MIME type "application/x-filemaker"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

application/x-filemaker is a MIME type used to identify database files created with FileMaker Pro. It tells systems that the content is a proprietary FileMaker database, so applications know how to open and process the file.

Files marked with this MIME type store structured and relational data along with custom layouts. They help servers and email clients manage file transfers correctly.

Common file types using this MIME type include those with extensions such as FP3, FM, FP5, FP7, FP, and FMP.

The primary use is to manage and store FileMaker Pro databases.
It organizes relational data and user-defined layouts.
It spans several versions, from early releases (Database 3) to later ones (such as FileMaker Pro 7).

For more details on MIME types in general, visit MDN Web Docs on MIME types.
Learn more about FileMaker Pro on the Claris FileMaker website.

Associated file extensions

.fp3, .fm, .fp5, .fp7, .fp, .fmp

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/x-filemaker

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-filemaker">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-filemaker');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.fp3, .fm, .fp5, .fp7, .fp, .fmp

FAQs

What is the application/x-filemaker MIME type used for?

This MIME type identifies database files created by Claris FileMaker Pro. It is commonly associated with legacy file versions, such as those using the .fp5 or .fp7 extensions, ensuring the operating system hands the file off to the FileMaker application.

How do I open a file with the application/x-filemaker content type?

You need Claris FileMaker Pro installed on your desktop or FileMaker Go on iOS devices. Since these are proprietary database files containing structured data and layouts, standard text editors or web browsers cannot display them correctly.

Why does a FileMaker file display as random characters in my browser?

This occurs when the web server is not configured for application/x-filemaker and defaults to serving the file as text/plain. To fix this, the server administrator must update the MIME type settings to ensure the browser downloads the file instead of trying to render it.

How do I configure Apache to serve FileMaker files correctly?

Add the AddType directive to your .htaccess file or main server configuration. For example: AddType application/x-filemaker .fp7 .fp5 .fp3 .fm. This ensures that files with these extensions are delivered with the correct headers.

What is the correct Nginx configuration for this MIME type?

You should add the file extensions to your mime.types file or within a specific types block in your server config. Use the format: types { application/x-filemaker fp7 fp5 fp3; }.

Is application/x-filemaker used for the newer .fmp12 format?

While application/x-filemaker is heavily used for legacy formats like .fp7, newer .fmp12 files generally use the same MIME type or generic binary types depending on the server setup. However, the x-filemaker subtype remains the specific identifier for the FileMaker ecosystem.

Are there security risks associated with this MIME type?

Yes, if a database file containing sensitive information is placed in a public web directory without access controls. Ensure that files with extensions like .fp or .fmp are either password-protected within FileMaker or stored outside the public web root.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.