We currently have a database with thousands of records, each one with a container field containing a reference to a file on our OS X Panther Server. We'd like to be able to upgrade the server at some point and possibly change its name and IP address. Is there a way to run a calculation on every record to update the referenced file path to reflect the files' new location on the new server? We're an all-Mac shop and we're open to using plug-ins if that will make the job any easier.

Yes, it's possible and not too difficult. First, make yourself a calculation field cOldPath (result is Text) =

YourContainerField

Next, make another text calculation field cNewPath, where you substitute the old path parts for the new ones.

Finally, define a calculation field (result is Container) =

cNewPath

When you get the calculated container to show the files, you can change it to type Container, then delete all the other fields. A backup is recommended before starting this.

That's great - a simple and elegant solution.

Many thanks (and yes, I'll definitely backup before giving it a try).