How do I script a Multiple Request Find?

[Demo92]

Hi,

I'm trying to script a find that would search for multiple values in only one field.

Basically, I have a list of values (230) of them that I'd like to find all at once instead of having to manually add find requests for each of them. The find is limited to one field.

Any help is appreciated.

[bcooney]

If you can put that list into a global field, you could use the Go to Related Records and "find" the records in one step. But that works best if the list is a carriage return delimited list of record IDs.

If you can explain how you gather your find criteria list, perhaps I can help you to build this technique.

Otherwise,

Enter Find Mode

Set Field (field, "value")

New Request

Set Field (field, "value2")

repeat as needed

Perform Find

[Demo92]

Please note: I'm using FMPro 5.5 to do this. The FM solution at hand is unfortunately locked into that version.

In a nutshell, I have a list of 230 record ID's in .xls format. I'd like to find all of the records matching those ID's at once by searching the databases 'Record ID' field. I'm imagining a script could do it, and the latter part of your previous suggestion was helpful, but 230 iterations in a script seems a bit much, no?

You mentioned using a global field and GTRR...can you elaborate on that approach?

[Lee Smith]

Are they in a range of numbers?

[Demo92]

Unfortunately, they're not. Here's a snippet of the 230:

122619

124967

65154

119271

73284

124977

72616

123118

124961

122627

73742

121608

110939

36065

124978

111504

83644

121419

66652

121570

72124

124209

46405

[bcooney]

In the table that you wish to match record IDs, create a global text field. Enter your list into the global field. Create a relationship that matches on this global field to record ID. (When FM uses a list in the top half of a relationship, it's an OR search).

Now go to related records using this relationship.

btw, this seems to me to be one of those questions that having more background would probably help. For example, why are FM rec IDs in Excel? How did they get there? Were these recs "marked" somehow in FM then exported?

Edited September 10, 2010 by Guest

[comment]

This part is not clear:

I have a list of 230 record ID's in .xls format

How do you get them over to Filemaker - as separate records in another file?

[comment]

I wonder if v5.5 had matching import - because that would create a found set straight from the Excel file (assuming the values are in a column there).

[bcooney]

Well, until we find out how FM's RecIDs ended up in Excel...I only have FM6 installed. It's the old do an import and save it and never see it, but I bet your idea would probably work.

[Demo92]

I went ahead and used the 'Go to related record' via a global field and it worked out perfectly!

Thanks.