Compiling records based on info in multiple fields

[Madapple]

I have looked around and search for a way to do this but havent been able to so far, I apologize if it has already been mentioned!

I have a database of 1800 records, for each of these records I need to be able to search a set of fields for the same data. EX:

Client 1 wants to be listed in category: architects/design

Client 2 wants to be listed in categories: architect/industrial, architects/design , general contractor,

client 3 wants to be listed in categories: general contractor, architect/ industrial, architects/design

and so on

So say there are 9 different records that are all supposed to be in category "architects/design" but each one has "architects/design" in a different "category" field, heres the problem, since each client has a different 1st category i have to do a search for each category in each of 12 "category" fields. Is there a way I can find everyone that wants to be in category "architects/design" regardless of wether that is in field "category 1" or field "category 12"

Hope that makes sense.... THANKS!

[-Queue-]

You can either create a calculation text field that concatenates all category fields, i.e. category1 & " " & category2 & " " & category 3 & " " & ... & category 12, though this might be too many characters to index.

An alternative is to create multiple find requests via script. If a user enters the search criteria in a global in Browse Mode,

Enter Find Mode [ ]

Set Field [category1, global]

New Record/Request

Set Field [category2, global]

New Record/Request

Set Field [category3, global]

...

Perform Find [ ]

[Madapple]

ok that actually sort of helped, got me closer anyway.

The concatination worked perfectly.

Now I just need to export the records, i suppose I can create a new database for each category....

[Lee Smith]

Hi Madapple,

I guess you misunderstood -queue- first sentence of his reply. A concatenated calculation is nothing more than calculation field where you add the fields together by using the "&" sign. In other words,

YourField, Calculation, Text Result =

Field 1 & Field 2 & Field 3

You can put a space between the fields, as shown by -queue-, to make it easier to read

Field 1 & " " & Field 2 & " " & Field 3

HTH

Lee

[Madapple]

yeah, just after i posted that i realisd what he was saying.

got that workign now i just need to figure out how i need to sort it so i can export it the way the designer needs the info

[-Queue-]

You can still sort by the original fields and export either the combined calculation or the individual fields. How exactly do you need it to export?

[Madapple]

I need to get the info in this format:

Category

The Store

Mr Joe Person

Owner

1993 Street.

City,TN 38104

PH.(901) 555-5700

FAX(901) 555-1334

http://

[email protected]

The Other Store

Mrs Sally Sombody

Owner

2150 Avenue way.

City,TN 38104

PH.(901) 555-5700

FAX(901) 555-1334

http://

[email protected]

I have figured out how to do that part easily, now I am going to try and get the heading to load properly for each listing. Only need one category listed for each client.

what i am going to do is just have all the categories in th etop of each listing and delete them.

Now i need to find a away to export them as just plain text, not as delimited text.