What Is an FP7 File?

This article explains what an FP7 file is and how to open one on your computer or convert one to a different file format.

What Is an FP7 File?

A file with the FP7 file extension is a FileMaker Pro database file. It holds records in a table format and might also include charts and forms.

The number after ".FP" in the file extension can be used as a general indicator of the version of FileMaker Pro that uses the format as its default file type. Therefore, FP7 files are created by default in FileMaker Pro version 7, but they're also supported in versions 8-11.

FMP files were used with the first edition of the software, versions 5 and 6 use FP5 files, and FileMaker Pro 12 and newer use the FMP12 format by default.

How to Open an FP7 File

FileMaker Pro can open and edit FP7 files. This is true especially for versions of the program that use FP7 files as the default database file format (e.g., 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11), but newer releases work, too.

If your file isn't used with FileMaker Pro, there's a possibility that it's just a plain text file. To confirm this, open it with Notepad or a text editor from our Best Free Text Editors list. If you can read everything inside, then your file is just a text file.

However, if you can't read anything this way, or the majority of it is jumbled text that doesn't many any sense, you might still be able to find some information within the mess that describes the format your file is in. Try researching some of the first few letters and/or numbers on the first line. That might help you learn more about the format and, ultimately, find a compatible viewer or editor.

How to Convert an FP7 File

There probably aren't many, if any, dedicated file converter tools that can convert an FP7 file to another format. However, FileMaker Pro is fully capable of converting FP7 files.

If you open your file in a newer version of the software (newer than v11), and use the regular File > Save a Copy As menu option, you can only save the file to the newer FMP12 format.

However, you can instead convert the FP7 file to the XLSX Excel format or a PDF via File > Save/Send Records As.

You can also export records from the FP7 file so that they exist in the CSV, DBF, TAB, HTM, or XML format, among others, through File > Export Records.

Still Can't Open It?

If your file isn't opening with FileMaker Pro, there's a good chance you're misreading the file extension. If so, you can't expect the file to be usable in FileMaker Pro, since it's most likely in a totally different and unrelated file format.

For example, while FP files might look at first glance like they're definitely related to this program, they could actually be Fragment program files. If so, any text editor can be used to open the file.

Another file extension that resembles FP7 is P7. Although the last two letters are the same, P7 files are PKCS #7 digital certificates used by programs like OpenSSL for authentication purposes.

No matter what file you're dealing with, if it doesn't end in FP7 or another FP# suffix, chances are you'll need a different program installed on your computer to open, edit, or convert it.