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Groups > comp.databases.filemaker > #2014

Re: Filemaker - sorting

From Helpful Harry <HelpfulHarry@BusyWorking.com>
Newsgroups comp.databases.filemaker
Subject Re: Filemaker - sorting
Date 2015-02-23 16:38 +1300
Organization Aioe.org NNTP Server
Message-ID <230220151638282504%HelpfulHarry@BusyWorking.com> (permalink)
References <89ec3722-5afd-4f2a-8a25-80fe64981d82@googlegroups.com> <190220151316467404%HelpfulHarry@BusyWorking.com> <XaOdnZAaSIxo8HfJnZ2dnUU7-aGdnZ2d@westnet.com.au>

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In article <XaOdnZAaSIxo8HfJnZ2dnUU7-aGdnZ2d@westnet.com.au>, John G
<john.g@green.com> wrote:
> Helpful Harry explained :
> > In article <89ec3722-5afd-4f2a-8a25-80fe64981d82@googlegroups.com>,
> > ihp98230 <viking.1943@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >> 
> >> I have several hundred different data base files in Filemaker format. I 
> >> would like to merge many of them so I am down to only a handful of large 
> >> files but still retain the ability to work within any one of them when
> >> that 
> >> is more convenient. 
> >> 
> >> I am contemplating establishing a new field in each file, and merge all of
> >> the old files into this larger file. However I would still like to retain 
> >> the old file names but as a field heading so if I want to look up one 
> >> specific section I can still do so quickly and easily. 
> >> 
> >> It is easy to add an additional field to every Filemaker file, the question
> >> is how can I do that quickly when there will be nothing in that field
> >> initially. Some files can have thousands of individual records but i cannot
> >> find any way to create a new field and then put the same thing in each of
> >> those records quickly and easily. Doing it one file at a time could easily
> >> take days simply using copy and paste, but doing it 50,000 times. 
> >> 
> >> Does anyone know a quick and easy way to do this?
> >> 
> >> Any help would be appreciated.
> >
> > Probably the safest and easiest way is to initially make the new field
> > as Calculation field that is set to be whatever text you want.
> > i.e.
> >      NewField    Calculation, Text Result
> >        = "FileName"
> >
> > where Filename is really whatever the name of the file is.
> >
> > Click out of all the Define Fields windows and FileMaker will create
> > the new field with that data. Then go back into the Define Field window
> > and change the NewField to be an ordinary Text field - it will retain
> > the calculated data.
> 
> You  all are all making this too too hard.
> 
> Create a new field on whatever layout or use existing field.
> Place Cursor in the field and then press Ctrl= and follow the 
> diections.
> Note it is NOT Ctrl Shift = as suggested by Ursus
> 
> If using Apple then it is "funny four legged thing" = and follow the 
> directions.
> 
> If you only want to replace a field in some records FIND that set of 
> records and proceed as above.
> See how important it is to tell us the Platform and the version of FM 
> you are using.
> 
> Filemaker is the greatest for small to one man enterprises and seems to 
> be used by big ones too. A little patience and you can work wonders 
> with it. :')

That Replace command can be dangerous if not used carefully. The above
Calculation field method should be safer (you also missed a step of
typing in the data in the field before using Replace).

Helpful Harry  :o)

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Thread

Filemaker - sorting ihp98230 <viking.1943@hotmail.com> - 2015-02-18 14:41 -0800
  Re: Filemaker - sorting Ursus <ursus.kirk@ziggo.nl> - 2015-02-19 00:03 +0100
    Re: Filemaker - sorting ihp98230 <viking.1943@hotmail.com> - 2015-02-18 15:29 -0800
      Re: Filemaker - sorting Ursus <ursus.kirk@ziggo.nl> - 2015-02-19 00:51 +0100
        Re: Filemaker - sorting ihp98230 <viking.1943@hotmail.com> - 2015-02-18 17:25 -0800
          Re: Filemaker - sorting dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson) - 2015-02-19 16:08 +1300
            Re: Filemaker - sorting ihp98230 <viking.1943@hotmail.com> - 2015-02-18 19:38 -0800
              Re: Filemaker - sorting dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson) - 2015-02-19 17:25 +1300
                Re: Filemaker - sorting Ursus <ursus.kirk@ziggo.nl> - 2015-02-19 09:59 +0100
                Re: Filemaker - sorting viking.1943@hotmail.com - 2015-02-22 06:00 -0800
                Re: Filemaker - sorting Helpful Harry <HelpfulHarry@BusyWorking.com> - 2015-02-23 08:54 +1300
  Re: Filemaker - sorting Helpful Harry <HelpfulHarry@BusyWorking.com> - 2015-02-19 13:16 +1300
    Re: Filemaker - sorting John G <john.g@green.com> - 2015-02-23 11:01 +1100
      Re: Filemaker - sorting Helpful Harry <HelpfulHarry@BusyWorking.com> - 2015-02-23 16:38 +1300
        Re: Filemaker - sorting John G <john.g@green.com> - 2015-02-23 15:39 +1100
          Re: Filemaker - sorting viking.1943@hotmail.com - 2015-02-23 19:25 -0800

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