i don't understand the logic to the following find result: i have 3 records which have the following data in a text field, respectively:

record 1: 2002 part 1

record 2: 2002 part 2

record 3: 2002 part 3

when i do a find for '2002 part 1' or '2002 part 3', the matching record is found, but when i search for '2002 part 2', all three records are found. what's going on?

It's because your search criteria of '2002 part 2' has elements that show up in all three records. (The final '2' is already in the year number)

Nothing in your search criteria 'excludes' any of the files. (whereas when you searched for 2002 part 1 and 2002 part 3, the '1' and '3' excluded finding more matches than the one you were looking for.

Try enhancing your searches with the pop-up list on the left in the status bar (in Find mode). Exact matches (use an '=') will do wonders.

oh man, sometimes i don't see the forest for the trees - thanks!