simple search question

[elektra]

I have a search page with a drop down menu to search for locations. Right now I'm using another drop-down with search operators (equals, begins with, etc.). But I'd rather the user not have to worry with this. I don't want a drop down for this at all, but rather have it default to the equals operator. I've tried using a hidden field or just getting rid of the operator drop down altogether, but then I get an error message because CDML defaults to searching with "begins with". Thanks in advance!

[Keith M. Davie]

For a find or search of a database from a format file, the cdml tags -lop and -op are useless when used with straight html, and are not supported by FileMaker in that manner. The cdml -lop and -op tags have limited use with html in If... statements on format files to display text. To use the -lop and -op tags in a db find, you will need to use JavaScript.

If you do not know JavaScript (and even if you do) you would be well advised to read the papers at FileMaker concerning an exact search. There are two papers which provide insight into what you desire. Those papers are referenced elsewhere on this forum.

[ August 01, 2001: Message edited by: Keith M. Davie ]

[John May - Point In Space]

You should be able to place a hidden field right before your search field, with name = "-op" and value = "eq".

- John

[John May - Point In Space]

Strange.... They work just fine when using Lasso.

- John

[Keith M. Davie]

Well without Lasso if you are trying to search two fields using the -op or -lop along with .eq (as an example) one field can be bypassed (left blank) and a record found, though not necessarily the correct record. This can be resolved using html/cdml with an exact search as mentioned, or by using JavaScript to require that both fields get data before the submit is allowed.

[ August 02, 2001: Message edited by: Keith M. Davie ]

[John May - Point In Space]

Another way is to pass the data to a response page with the "-nothing" action, then verify the data there, and perform an [inline] action if valid.

Once again, this may be a Lasso-specific solution (see why you should use it now?).

- John