Are there limits on the number of characters in a related field such that when exceded, the relationship brings back wrong data?

Case: We have a production batch database which is related to our catalog number database (catalog # = catalog#). The following part numbers: D-5580-95-CAL-IS-01, D-5580-95-CAL-IS-02, D-5580-95-CAL-IS-03, D-5580-95-CAL-IS-04 and D-5580-95-CAL-IS-05.

If the -05 is selected in the production file, the -01 shows in the relationship. I know that there is a limit of 20 non unique characters for searchs, but this is less than that.

[ March 15, 2002, 08:13 AM: Message edited by: D V ]

There is a limit of 64K characters in a text field. Also, FM only indexes the first 20 characters, so keys that are different in the 21 place will match. Make sure key field with delimiters such as "-" have their indexing set to ASCII, not English. In English the "-" will be ignored. This could make 01-1 match 0-11. And, of course, make sure the field types are set to Text, not number.

-bd

Actually a text based value can serve as a key so long as its total length does not exceed 60 characters AND no single word exceeds 20 characters.

If used as a multikey, any line over 60 characters will fail, and ALL subsequent lines in the key will fail as well.

HTH

Old Advance Man