Function for a simple task?

[lcouri]

I'm embarrassed to post this but trust me, I've exhausted searching the internet for strategies.  Surely, with Filemaker Pro 12 there must be a way to create a function that looks to an existing text field and searches for a specific string?!?  'Products' would contain none or some or all of A  B  C  D  E , in a random order.  I would like to create a calculation that searches for 'B' and returns a text expression (there is no "contains" function).  I can't think it should be so difficult, I must be using the wrong terminology?  ('B' is just a representation of a longer name, ie. "cookies" or "twinkies" could be the products ...)

Thanks!

Lance

[comment]

function that looks to an existing text field and searches for a specific string

 

Have a look at the PatternCount() function.

 

 

The bigger question here is why do you have a field that contains multiple values. That's not a good strategy.

[eos]

I would like to create a calculation that searches for 'B' and returns a text expression (there is no "contains" function). 

 

http://fmhelp.filemaker.com/fmphelp_12/en/html/func_ref3.33.77.html#1031282

 

Not sure what you mean by “returns a text expression“ – the result is the number of occurrences of the search string.

[beverly]

Lance, is this a LIST (return delimited values)? if so, perhaps the list functions would help find a "match". You can return a "string" to a variable and/or field and/or dialog - however you make the match by script. Calculation could also return a string if there is a match. PatternCount() helps if you have unique enough values in the field (even multiples of the same phrases).

[lcouri]

Have a look at the PatternCount() function.

 

 

The bigger question here is why do you have a field that contains multiple values. That's not a good strategy.

You're absolutely correct.  This field is a result of another system export, so there's not much control over that.  In fact, my whole issue is to extract a specific product (in this case) and thus render the 'multi-variable field' non-critical:)

Thanks everyone, I'll give "PatternCount()" a try!

[lcouri]

PERFECT.  That works within my 'Case' argument perfectly:)

[comment]

This field is a result of another system export, so there's not much control over that.  In fact, my whole issue is to extract a specific product (in this case) and thus render the 'multi-variable field' non-critical:)

Thanks everyone, I'll give "PatternCount()" a try!

 

Beverly is correct that (with return-separated values) it is better to test for:

not IsEmpty ( FilterValues ( "searchString" ; YourField ) )

This eliminates false positives such as when searching for "cat" in a field that contains "catalog". If your field is not return-separated, use the Substitute() function to replace the existing delimiter with ¶.