Change formatting within a field

[chasm24]

I have a contact database with 20,000 records. sometime the phone numbers are listed with dashes, while others are listed with dots (202-222-2222 vs. 202.222.2222). I want to make the database consistent for aesthetics purposes but obviously don't have enough time (or patience) to manually fix them all. is there a way to execute this by script? Even when i try to do a find request for fields containing a -, it doesn't return all the records that i know have that issue with the phone number.

thanks in advance for the help.

[SlimJim]

I have nnever had any reason to do this, so take no responsibility for the outcome - it might be worth trying it on a copy to see what happens.

Do a Find/Replace (Edit>Find/Replace>Find/Replace) and specify "." for find and "-" for replace (or the other way round if you want to keep the ".") over all records current field. Make sure the phone field is active or just script it with a Goto Field first.

[Lee Smith]

Hi chasm24 ,

This is one of those questions that comes up from time to time. A search using the Keywords [color:"blue"]+format +phone produced several threads. Among them was this recent thread. Click Here

The calculation by -Queue- works great as presented (Auto Enter). I would start by changing the field first. Auto Enter used to only apply to new records being created, but I'm not sure if this might have been chanced in v7 or not. So, if the existing data doesn't change, you can use the Replace Function (Menu or Script) and update the data. If you want, you could also use the calculation in a script and loop through the records.

HTH

Lee

[-Queue-]

Lee, the behavior is still the same in version 7. Any existing records must be manually updated as you described.

[LaRetta]

Actually, since in vs. 7 the field itself can be referenced within a calc, you can mass change any field data or format quickly - all through Define Fields.

If you have a phone (text) field and change it to a CALCULATION (not Auto-Enter via calc). Be sure calc is text and enter: Substitute(Phone; "."; "-") or use Queue's phone formula here. Do NOT set the calc option to unstored; leave Indexing as it defaults).

Exit Define Fields (and phone data will change). Then go back into Define Fields and change field back to text field. It will preserve the calculation format AND data. Then add Auto-Enter (Replace) and, when the calc box opens your formula will still be there. No need to manually change the data at all and it's very fast.

This is, of course, for Developer use. If it were a User process you would want to script it. Back up first although it's always worked for me. And you wouldn't want to do this while the file was being hosted.

LaRetta

[chasm24]

Worked like a charm LaRetta--very impressive indeed!

[rmupton]

Problem Details:

> Problem: Font characteristics. Using Safari for browser

> Although I have followed to the letter the help instructions for

> setting font characteristics (changing in layout mode) I cannot get

> the font in one field to conform. It comes up as it shows in the

> entry field - 12 pt Helvetica instead of 18 pt Hlevetica bold - in

> a label layout. If I change the format for one record, that works,

> but it does not change the format in all the records for the label

> layout. Help says do not change type in brouse mode. The only

> layout I can do this is in Data Entry layout, you cannot change

> type in brouse mode for other layouts.

>

[Lee Smith]

is there a question in there somewhere? Are you Hijacking this Thread? If so, please don't do that, create your own thread unless this is about the existing thread.

It sounds like we have come into the middle of a conversation. Why the > at the start of each line, we have text formatting available in the Post Creation area, including the "quote"

How about sharing the rest of the text.

What do you have.

What are you trying to do

What isn't working, or what is working to a point. etc.

All I got out of this is that you a layout and one field isn't conforming to the preset styles? How is this data being entered. Manually, pasted from a different source, the result of a calculation???

Help us out here.

Lee

[rmupton]

Sorry about breaking into the coversation. I am brand new to this site and forum and have had trouble even getting to the point where I could post anything.

> in original message came from email message.

What I have is a database with fields for the address, city, state. In layouts other than the entry layout the type for the state field always comes up with the same formatting as in the entry layout although the other layouts have different sizes and faces for the state field. Filemaker Help says when you change the format in the browser mode that this format will appear in all other layouts. Well, I can change formats in browser mode in the entry layout only. For instance, when I am in browser mode for a label, I can't change the formatting which makes sense. In layout mode, any change in the state field formatting is ignored and the type face and size defaults to that in the Entry layout

[Lee Smith]

You should have started your own Thread on this. I'm still not positive what your problem involves, but appears to have something to do with a field style that isn't working.

Font Styles can be introduced to your data several ways.

Through the Preferences (Finally)

In Layout Mode by selecting a field or group of fields that are already on the layout, or my not selecting any fields, choosing the font and styles to effect any future fields added to the layout.

In Browse Mode by the Users as you know.

By using one the new Text Functions

By a paste of formatted text

and the format can be removed by a calculation.

Review what is happening with your field and I'm sure you will find one of these as the source of your problem.

If not, attache a copy of your files (zip them for the best results), and point us at the fields.

HTH

Lee