Installation and New Features Guide

10 | Before you begin
Converting the trial version to the full version
of FileMaker
Pro
If you have installed the FileMaker Pro 12 trial version on your computer,
you can convert to the full version of FileMaker
Pro 12 without
uninstalling the trial version first. You can also upgrade your retail copy of
FileMaker
Pro version 9, 10, or 11 to the full version of FileMaker Pro 12
by entering an upgrade license key during the trial conversion process.
Upgrading FileMaker Pro from a previous
version
If you are upgrading FileMaker Pro from a previous version, FileMaker
recommends that you upgrade to the new version before uninstalling the
previous version.
To upgrade FileMaker Pro from a previous version:
1. Install the upgrade using the 35-character license key, which is on the
back of the DVD sleeve or emailed to you with your download link.
2. Move plug-ins, dictionary information, and your preferences to the
new version of FileMaker
Pro. For information about moving your
preferences, refer to the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at
http://help.filemaker.com.
3. If you plan to use only the latest version, uninstall the previous version.
If you choose to uninstall the previous version before upgrading to the
latest version, make sure you have the license key for the previous
version. When installing FileMaker
Pro with an upgrade license key, the
installer searches your hard drive for the previous version. If a previous
version is not located, you are asked to enter the license key for the
previous version of the product.
Opening files from previous versions
FileMaker Pro 12 can open files created in FileMaker Pro versions 7.x,
8.x, 9.x, 10.x, or 11.x. In order to use the files with FileMaker
Pro,
however, you’ll need to convert them to the FileMaker
Pro 12 file format.
For more information about converting files, see FileMaker
Pro Help.