Auto Complete

[Edward Paterson]

How do I delete an item that is no longer needed from the Auto Complete Index and leave the rest there?

[Inky Phil]

Unless there is something that I do not know here (and that is possible since you have yourself listed as an advanced user) the auto enter function is based on the contents of the value list that is being used in any particular field and so to remove an item you have to reconfigure the value list

HTH

Phil

[Edward Paterson]

Thanks for the suggestion but it appears that an Auto Complete setting can use either a value list or just be remembered in the index of the field in question.

I chose the index version which works nicely to remember everything I enter; including my mistakes.

Unfortunately I can not find a way to delete anything out of that index list for the field. I can open it and look at it and apparently paste to it but I can't delete.

Surely there must be some way of editing out unwanted entries.

[Raybaudi]

Hi

what about re-indexing that field ?

Something like to turn indexing off and exit from define field...

[Edward Paterson]

I actually did that but the entries came back when I turned it back on. They seem to get stored forever.

[Lee Smith]

I believe that if you have at least one record with the data in it, you will not be able to remove it from the Auto Complete index.

It this data is an error, replace it with the correct data and it will remove the old or err data out of the Auto Complete Index.

HTH

Lee

[Edward Paterson]

Sadly; that does not seem to be working for me.

I have a number of lines in the index for the field.

I can bring any of them into the field via auto complete and I can get multiples of the indexed data.

I can not get rid of any of the data lines that have been sent to the index. There appears to be no way of editing the index itself. CTRL X, Delete, back space, whatever; will not remove a line or even a single word.

I can change to a lookup or something but wanted to use the auto complete function and am annoyed that it will continue to build up lines of text that can never be deleted.

Surely I am missing something.

[Genx]

Why not just use a value list defined to contain all values of the field and then use auto-complete -- then there's no indexing issues...

[Lee Smith]

I repeat. If you have at least one record with the value you don't want in it, you are stuck. The only way to change this, is to remove all occurrences of the offending item in the field, or NOT use the Auto Complete Function. An alternative is to use the value list as suggested by Genx. However, you are probably going to have to hard code the list if this offending item needs to show in a few records, but not be a member of the list.

HTH

Lee

[Genx]

Yes, but patterson is seeming to suggest that the value doesn't exist any longer but is still showing up when trying to auto complete -- to be honest i don't really get indexing (well i get the concept, but i don't get when it occurs) so i'm definitley not arguing with anyone here, just suggesting what was said.

If indexing works on values that actually exist only, you might consider doing a search for that value that you think doesn't exist and see what comes up.

[xoomaster]

I have had similar problem with indexing, even after deleting an item it will continue to persist. There is no way of re-indexing unless you delet and use another field.

This is a design issue. You may want to look at my post on Sorting a manually entered VL ( under Value List heading on this site). It may help you.

Edited November 11, 2006 by Guest

[Edward Paterson]

Thanks to all.

I will accept that there is no way of editing the index. Creating a new field to get new auto completes is not an option.

I will likely import the data upon exit to a holding file and use it as a lookup.

Too bad; the auto complete would have been just what I needed I had been able to edit it.

[Lee Smith]

I didn't hear (see) [color:orange]Paterson say that the value wasn't being used in at least one record, that was why I worded my post the way I did.

I don't think that indexing has anything to do with this VL problem, corruption maybe depending on the response we get from [color:orange]Paterson.

BTW, I suggested the find for the offending entry, but [color:orange]Paterson hasn't responded on that point either.

If what has been suggested isn't fixing the problem, then I would suggest [color:orange]Paterson attach a copy of the problem file.

Lee

[Lee Smith]

Oh, ho. you posted your response while I was making up mine to Genx.

The Auto Complete is similar to what you find in Excel, (i.e. pretty weak as you have discovered). You can control things better if you use a Hard Coded Value List (not a field). However, a bad item entered into any type of list, will remain until you correct it. Using the idea of a Hard Coded List as Genx suggested with the Auto Complete will help you control what goes in to it.

Without seeing your file it is hard to comment on the best way to fix it. It does seem a little drastic to me to have to export the field..... etc., Maybe you should post the file and let us see if there wouldn't be a simpler solution.

HTH

Lee

[Genx]

Lol, seeing the orange highlighting, i note i misspelled the name... sorry.

[Edward Paterson]

I access the internet via dialup so sending the file would not be an option.

However; let me re-describe the problem

I have a simple text file. It is an Edit Box and I set it for Auto Complete

I type in the field and then create a new record.

I type the first letter of my original text and up pops the whole line – perfect.

I decide I want a different description so I type in a different line – starting with the same letter.

I create a new record

I type the first letter of a message that I know is in there and I get the option of selecting either of my two entries or creating another – again; just what I want.

Now I decide that 1 of those memorized entries needs to be removed or changed in some way – I can not make any changes. I can open the index and see them all but I can’t make a change.

This means that over time, I will end up with all kinds of material in there that I no longer want but there will be material in there that I do want so I don’t want to start all over again.

[Lee Smith]

You have to change every occurance of the one item you want to removed, or it will remain an option on the list.

The Value List created by Auto Complete is controlled by the data entered into that field, and it remains on the list for as long at least one record has it in the field.. The only way to remove an item as an option from the list, is to change all occurrences of that particular item in your records.

If you you change your mind like you have shown in your example, then do a search for all record containing the error, and replace it with the correct one. This will remove the item you want gone.

This behavior is also true of the Field Based Value Lists. You have a little more control with the Manual Entered Value Lists, but you should read about different types of Value Lists, and their pros and cons before you decide which one fits your situation.

It should not be necessary to export and reimport the data to fix this problem.

Lee

Edited November 11, 2006 by Guest

[Edward Paterson]

Thanks.

My understanding of how the index is used by the auto complete function was totally wrong. I thought the text I entered was being saved in some magical area related to that field and remained there in some global-like fashion to be accessed any time I used the field.

In fact, as you have explained it, the index is just a value list based on the field I am in at the time. Mind you, it is nice to have it show only the items beginning with the letter I start with.

If I delete all records and create a new record; the index is empty.

That answers my original question.

Unfortunately it means that I can’t use it in the application I am creating as records are being archived when completed. I might have 5 or 6 in the file at one time so as soon as I remove one, the field index will no longer list the option used in it – unless another record is using it.

Thanks again to all who gave advice.

EMP