Getting Started with M-Files

Note: This content is no longer updated. For the latest content, please go to the user guide for M-Files Online. For information on the supported product versions, refer to our lifecycle policy.

This section helps you to get up to speed with M-Files. If you are new to M-Files, it is recommended that you read the entire section before you start using M-Files.

This section assumes that M-Files is already installed and ready to use. For instructions on installing M-Files, see Installing and Upgrading M-Files.

There are three ways you can use M-Files:

  • M-Files Desktop is a desktop application available for the Microsoft Windows operating system.
  • M-Files Web is a web application that runs natively in most web browsers.
  • M-Files Mobile is a mobile application available for iOS and Android devices.

M-Files Desktop

The M-Files desktop application is the premier tool for using M-Files. It is equipped with all the features and functions available in the M-Files ecosystem, and therefore it is the go-to choice for power users whose day-to-day M-Files activities typically involve creating and editing documents.

M-Files Desktop is a native Microsoft Windows application that runs on all the latest Windows versions. For a complete list of compatible Microsoft Windows versions, see Operating System Requirements.

To get yourself started and comfortable with M-Files Desktop, complete these quick tutorials:

  1. Opening M-Files Desktop and Accessing a Vault
  2. Getting Familiar with the M-Files User Interface
  3. Searching for Documents
  4. Getting Familiar with Using Metadata
  5. Getting Familiar with Documents and Other Object Types
  6. Creating New Objects and Saving Documents to M-Files
  7. Using Document Templates
  8. Saving Emails from Microsoft Outlook to M-Files
  9. Getting Familiar with Views
  10. Working Offline

M-Files Web

M-Files can also be accessed using a web browser. M-Files Web aims to offer a similar user experience as M-Files Desktop, and as such, it offers most of the same features as the desktop application. For more information, see Accessing M-Files Web.

M-Files Mobile

The M-Files mobile applications allow you to use M-Files and access document vaults on your mobile device. Many of the features of M-Files Desktop are also available in the mobile applications. For a feature comparison between M-Files Mobile and M-Files Desktop, see Can I do the same stuff with M-Files Mobile as with M-Files Desktop?

More information

For additional introductory information, refer to the videos section on our website. Once you are familiar with the basics of M-Files and want to know more, this user guide is a great reference to the features and benefits of the M-Files software.