Separate first and last names

[Cap'n Splatter]

Hi there.

I have 3 fields: Full name, First name and Last name

The only field that is entered and displayed is "full name" - the other two are purely for sorting purposes.

Does anyone know if there is a way I can make the first and last name fields calc fields that automatically separate the two names and enter the correct info?

For example, if I entered "John Smith" into Full Name. First Name would become "John" and Last Name would become "Smith"

Any ideas?

[QuinTech]

Hi, Cap'n, and welcome to the forums!

If you search the forums for [+"separate" +"full name"] or [+"parse" +"full name"] you should find a host of answers telling you how to do this.

May i recommend, however, that you do away with this method of handling names as soon as possible. You will be far, far happier having users enter data into two fields rather than one. For example, think about what happens when you have these three names entered:

John Smith

John von Smith

John Smith, Jr.

Many problems ensue.

HTH,

Jerry

[Cap'n Splatter]

Thanks very much for your help QuinTech. I guess I wasn't wording my search correctly.

I wouldn't normally use this approach, but this database is only used by myself and one other person in the same studio to keep track of our illustration clients and create lists for mailshots etc. Up until now we've had 2 separate fields, but keep entering the full name in "first name" and have to go back. Just convenience really, but I see your point.

Thanks again. This is a great forum.

[Lee Smith]

Hi Capt

Two new fields are needed.

First Name (calculation, Text Result) =

LeftWord(yourFullNamefield, 1)

Last Name (calculation, Text Result) =

RightWord(yourFullNamefield, 1)

If you have any with Middle names, initial, titles (Mr., Mrs, Sir, President, etc.,) then these would have to be changed. But, since you have complete control of the data, these should do it.

In v7, there may be a better way, but these work in earlier version.

HTH

Lee