Performing a simple find - (Newbie) Football game planning database

[Tony M62]

Hello all,

in my attempts to perform a simle find I have a table that has values from a lookup table (they are football play descriptions) as I am a high school football coach that are described as follows:

33 CROSS

33 TEXAS

and many other similar play descriptions.

when performing the find

if i type in "33" all plays show up

but If I type in "CROSS"

I get a message stating no matching records found.

In addition I have this field pointing to a related "lookup" table as a dropdown list and when I select the text "33 CROSS" from the list and perform the find I also get the message "no matching records found"

I am wondering if the space between the 3 and the word is causing the probalem and how do I get around this. I need to be able to pull these records quickly on the fly as I will be using partial context in searching for plays on the sidline using my Ipad.

Thanks

Tony

[Lee Smith]

What type of field is the 33 Cross in. Number, Text, etc.

Is this a related file?

Lee

[Tony M62]

it is a text field

yes it is related and is a lookup to the main table that I use

[Lee Smith]

First of all, lets get your profile current. Use this link to update the version, OS, and Platform you are on. Profile

Next, your find request should work in a Text type field?

Can you post a copy or mockup of your file?

To post a file, follow these steps.

Step 1

Find the file on your hard drive, and zip it.

Step 2

Do not use the Quick Reply, BUT instead, choose the More Reply Option

Step 3

Click on Attached Files and this will take you to your hard drive to locate your file that you want to attach and that you previously zipped. Select the file, and then click Attach This File, and then click Add Reply.

If you should have a problem write me a private me

[comment]

I don't follow your description that well (what is a lookup table?).

In any case, if you have a Text field that contains "33 CROSS" and you search for CROSS, that record should be found (Filemaker's default search is for words that begin with the search string).

[Tony M62]

Lee,

Thanks for your assistance. I typically use the "data entry layout" at this time

BTW my terminology is based on my experience with access, so by lookup i meant value list.

File is attached

Thanks

Tony

offensive game planning.zip

[Lee Smith]

Your Field, Play Description, is TYPE Number.

Go into layout mode and click on it, and then select it as Text.

Lee

p.s. Welcome to the Forum.

[comment]

Go into layout mode ...

Didn't you mean 'Go into File > Manage > Database… > Fields'?

[Tony M62]

Lee,

thanks

Can you explain what was wrong? I am thinking that I will need to change all my fields other that the play number to this type.

Can you also explain to me how to lock this database to aviod data entry. when I get all 900 plays in and am using it on the sideline to call my plays I do not want to accidentally add records.

[Lee Smith]

Didn't you mean 'Go into File > Manage > Database… > Fields'?

Actually, he had it in Table View, so I just changed it there.

[Lee Smith]

Lee,

thanks

Can you explain what was wrong?

Quite often, we think in terms that a number in a field means that it should be a number type filed. However, as you see, FileMaker doesn't think like we do, you have to make these kind of fields text to get them to act like you wanted. A good example of this is, Client ID Numbers, most of the time we mix alpha and numeric characters, instead of all numbers.

I am thinking that I will need to change all my fields other that the play number to this type.

As I stated, if you have a combination of numbers and text, they should be text fields. Keep in mind that numbers in a text field do not sort the same as numbers in a number field. To see what I mean, I'll make you an example file if you think it will help.

Can you also explain to me how to lock this database to avoid data entry. when I get all 900 plays in and am using it on the sideline to call my plays I do not want to accidentally add records

There are a couple of ways to do this. Might want to look at Options for the Fields available in the Manage Database when you click on a filed. Actually, check out the Inspector in Layout Mode >> Data >> Behavior >> Field entry >> Browse Mode

Lee

Edited August 2, 2012 by Lee Smith
added field entry

[Lee Smith]

Here is a very simple example of how the text and numbers in a field will react when sorting. Also, as you found there are problems with the search.

Number Field is like you had.

Text Field is what you changed it to

Text adding to number i.e. adjusting the 1 to 01 etc.

Lee

SortExampld Alpha_Numeric.fmp12.zip