Bonesnbraids

Let me see if I can explain it better DonKick, Let's use the same example (below/above?) where I have the database and the FLAG field. If I was in Excel, I could click on one box in the Flag field with an "X" in it (or any alpha/numeric combination or formula) and a little "+" is created in the lower right-hand corner of the box. I can then drag that in any direction and it copies what was in that box to wherever you are dragging it within the column. It's also handy with dates. If you have a long column that needs dates entered consecutively, you just enter the date once, click on the box, drag the "+" down, and it automatically enters all the dates in order as you drag. When I click on that one box in Excel it is highlighted much as it is in FMPro. In FMPro you can then drag and drop the data, effectively copying it to one box in one field. It leaves the original data in the box. But I can't find a way to copy or input large amounts of similar or identical or consecutive data in one field of a record. That's a bit frustrating. I'll try and add some images to further elaborate.

Hi Lee, So the reason: Let's say I have a database of 10,000 or so records. Each record is comprised of 20 or 30 fields. Within these fields I have some errors that need to be addressed over time. So I create a new field, called "FLAG" where I put an X for each field that has an error, allowing me to scan the database quickly, find records with errors (the more XXXXX's the more errors) and work with the database accordingly, allowing me to prioritize records. Now, I do a Find in one field called "Date" to find dates that were input correctly or not input at all. I get 500 records in which that field has an error. I want to FLAG all those so I can get back to them in some order. Unfortunately, in order to do that, I have to click an "X" in every FLAG field associated with the Record. And since I can't TAB or RETURN down (I have to click CONTROL and the down key) and have to individually insert the "X", it takes a long time. I'm trying to avoid that cumbersome data entry.

In Excel I can click data in a field and, once selected, I have the option to drag in whichever direction I like, and Excel enters/copies the data if I've selected one "box" or, if two boxes are selected and are in order (say "21,22..."), it will number the drag for me in order ("...23,24,25,26) etc. Is there a way to do this in FMPro? I'm sure it's something easy that I'm just blind to. But it gets annoying when I have 40 or 50 blanks fields that need the same data entered and I can't duplicate it easily, forcing me to go field by field to enter the same number or letter.

Ok, that was awesome. I replaced all the "-" with "/" Thank you! That worked really well! Okay, so I'm still trying to figure out how to use a calculation to convert date formats from: 1890/02/23 to 23/Feb/1890 Any suggestions out there?

Sorry, I'm really new at this. How do I go about defining a calculation field? I know I can specify a calculation for the "Date Collected start" or any other field. Should I enter what you wrote as a calculation? So... Date Collected start= (insert calculation)

Currently it is "Text"

Field: "Date Collected start" I'm working with 100 year old specimens in a museum and, upon getting this job, found that the database created for updating and digitizing the collection had the date entered, for roughly 3,000 specimens, incorrectly. In the above field, the date is entered as follows: 1893-10-21 or YEAR-MO-DA I've created a new column named "Date" and need to change all 3,000 to a format that is either: "yyyy/mm/dd" (1975/01/23) or "dd/Mon/yyyy" (23/Jan/1975) I can do a find/replace (I believe) to change the spacer from a "-" to a "/". the "Date" field doesn't have to be rigid in that I change the Field Type to "date". I just need to convert the dates so I can upload this information into a database program specifically designed for these specimens, thus the date format is an issue (aside from being visually confusing). A side note: I have a lot of partial dates (only the year perhaps) and can manipulate it so that there are zeroes or another character included where nothing presently exists...so, 1895 would become 1895-00-00 After the script it would look like: 1895/00/00 or 00/---/1895 in the new "Date" field. Also, if anyone has suggestions on how to become better at creating scripts, be it online help, books, or tutorials, I'd be very interested in what is out there and user-friendly. Thanks a lot for any thoughts and help.