Stumped about a wildcard search?

[hartmut77]

Hello

I am working with vin ( Vehicle Identification Numbers ) I am only interested in linking the information about a car to its model number in a related file. The VIN number is 17 digits and sometimes the model numbers are the 4,5,6,7, digits but sometimes other places. I thought I might have a solution by placing the numbers in their place in a larger number and populate the rest of the digit's placeholders with a "@" sign. Then I thought the user could type in a Whole VIN number 17 digits and reliably find it.

So in the related field I would have for example

@,@,@,D,G,3,5,7,@,@,@,@,@,@,@,@,@,

Then in the main file through a relationship and a lookup the user could type in the whole VIN

1FMDG357A114F6794

And find the car in the related field. But my way doesn't work so I have determined that I have 2 main problems.

1. How do I get filemaker to place "@" symbols in all the vacant parts of the number since the known model number could vary both in position and length.

2. What can I use to search for the exact record when all I have is the model number as in the above example. It would seem there is some way to search it.

I really need help here if anyone can help me.

Thanks

DAVE

[Lee Smith]

Have you tried using the wild card such as *D,G,3,5,7* as a search?

[BobWeaver]

I think you need to make a calculated search key field in your main file with the formula:

"XXX"&Middle(VIN,4,1)&"XXXXXXXXXXXXX"&"