Contact Journal Add-onUser guide

Install into a working copy

1. Back up your saved, closed host file. Try installation in a disposable copy first.
2. Open the Contact Journal .fmaddon package in FileMaker Pro to register it in the add-on chooser.
3. In Layout mode, open the Add-ons pane, choose Install Add-on and select Filesoft Contact Journal. Drag its launcher onto a host layout and save.
4. Return to Browse mode and finish any host-record edits. Open the module using the launcher.
5. Use Save or Save details before Back to host. Check that you return to the launching layout and that the host’s normal navigation still works.

How it fits your file

All launchers in one host file open the same module collection. Records are not attached to individual host records. No host-table relationship or startup-script change is required. Use one installed module and one active window.

Preserve the imported schema, script and layout names. Do not install another copy into a file that already contains this module. Installation needs development access; normal use respects the host account’s privileges.

Use the workspace

Create a contact, Save, then Open journal. Record calls, meetings, emails or notes. Create follow-ups, review due work, reschedule, complete, cancel or reopen them. Status changes and outcomes remain in dated journal history. Save editor changes before selecting another record, navigating or returning to the host. Ordinary navigation discards unsaved editor buffers. Back to host commits module context; host triggers may run. Resolve open follow-ups before archiving. Permanent deletion of an archived contact also removes all its conversations, follow-ups and history, after confirmation. Active contacts with history remain protected. Test deletion only with disposable contacts.

Optional fictional samples load once and remain separate from real records; new contacts are real records. The package contains no personal or screenshot records. No record limits, expiry, scheduled notifications or automatic email sending. Search includes Clear. Display-only portal fields are View Only; editor and search fields remain editable.

Common questions

Save title, date and notes before changing follow-up status. Resolve open follow-ups before archiving a contact. Deleting an archived contact permanently removes its conversations, follow-ups and history after confirmation.

Requirements and scope

Requires Claris FileMaker Pro, sold separately. Intended for FileMaker Pro 19.6.3–26 (reviewed on macOS; Windows unverified), single-user desktop use with one active window. Filesoft tested the add-on in FileMaker 19 and 26; exact patch versions were not specified. Intermediate versions were not individually tested. Native export: 19.6.3. Windows, FileMaker Go, WebDirect, hosting and concurrent multi-user or multi-window use are not validated.

Backups and updates

Save and close the database before making a filesystem backup. Keep earlier versions and a separate practice copy.

A new chooser package does not update an installed module or migrate its records. Never uninstall a populated module merely to upgrade. Plan a data-preserving update separately.

Reference screenshot

Help and support

For download issues, visit Help & downloads. For product questions, email support@filesofttools.com with the product version, FileMaker version and a description of the issue. Use fictional examples if you include screenshots.

Using the other format? Contact Journal guide.

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