Mark checkbox in multiple records at once?

[EcoGuy]

How can I mark a checkbox(es) in multiple records at one time in FileMaker? Do I need to create a script?

Details: I have a field using a Checkbox Set with Custom Values. Each Custom Value represents a specific mailing campaign. My goal is to be able to do a Find that returns all of the records that will be involved in a mailing campaign. I then want to mark the checkbox related to that mailing in all of the records in the found set at one time.

I am a newbie to FM so please be clear in your replies, and forgive me if I am posting in the wront place. Just let me know. Thank you!

[bcooney]

Try the Replace command.

[EcoGuy]

Thanks for the reply. I played with Edit > Find/Replace but that appears to be for text only. Are you referring to a script function? I need to mark a checkbox in multiple records. If you can be more specific I would appreciate it.

[AudioFreak]

EcoGuy

Just click in the field that has the data you want in all the records and hit Apple =

It will ask you if you want to replace the data in all the records with "-------"

Be careful though as this will change every record in the found set. So be aware of what records you are viewing.

Michael

[bcooney]

Not Find/Replace, Replace Field Contents from the Records menu.

[EcoGuy]

Thank you both! Records > Replace Field Contents... (Apple =) does the basic trick. However, there is a problem using this function with how I have structured the database. The Replace Field Contents replaces the entire field, but I am actually trying to just add a check next to a custom value in a checkbox set and not remove any previously checked values.

Specifics: I have a field I have called Mailings and in the Field/Control Setup dialog box I created the field as a Checkbox Set with Custom Values such as:

-Fall '07 Mailing/Insert

-Fall '07 Email

-Spring '08 DVD Mailing

The purpose of this is to track what mailings are sent to each person/record. The plan was to gather the records mailed during a particular campaing into a found set and then add a check next to the appropriate mailing. However, I do not want to remove checkmarks next to any previous mailings that were sent to them.

I hope I am explaining this clearly. Perhaps I have to set up my system differently to achieve the desired results? Or, is there a way to utilize Replace in a more discerning fashion? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[AudioFreak]

Do you plan on sending the mail using Filemaker? If so you would be better off checking the box within the script as you send the mail out.

Michael

[mr_vodka]

You can try something like:

Case ( not PatternCount ( ¶ & yourField & ¶ ; "Spring '08 DVD Mailing" ); Substititute ( yourField; yourField & ¶ & "Spring '08 DVD Mailing" ); YourField )

Be careful when you use the Replace function. It can not be undone.

Also if you plan an adding more items to the value list as an ongoing process, I would look towards a more relational structure.

[EcoGuy]

Thanks for the replies, AudioFreak and Mr Vodka.

Getting the appropriate boxed checked while we send out the mailing would be cool. We are planning to send via FM. However, like the code from Vodka, I am assuming it would be a custom coding job and I unfortunately do not feel comfortable delving too much there. I do appreciate the code, Vodka, and perhaps if I get up the courage I'll try it.

For now, I think I will try to redo the mailing boxes in a more relational way. I had tried it once in the beginning but it didn't work right but I may have gotten a wire crossed somewhere.

Happy Friday!