Query/Find a Given Record

This function will help you locate records in a table. It works for the TLMC as well as every other table in this program. When you activate this function two boxes will appear. The box on the left is your Query. This is where you define what your looking for. To the right of this box is a table field breakout. It lists the fields in the table--that you can search on--followed by the <T>ype, <L>ength, and the <D>ecimal entries. If the type is a C it is a character field, N is a numeric field, and D is for Date. These fields are important to know when you define the Query.

The Query box has three blocks to fill out. The first is the FIELD name. You enter the name of a field that your information--that you want to find--is in. At the bottom of the window is a help guide explaining your options. Next is the OPERATOR field that defines the relationship between the FIELD and the KEYWORD. Lastly the KEYWORD defines what you are looking for. If you make a mistake the program will ask you if you need help. Press [F1] and you will be taken to a help window on this function with some descriptive examples.

The only field that is not self explanatory is the KEYWORD. You must know what <T>ype of field you are working with. For example, if you are working with a <C>haracter field you must put (Quotes and Stars) around the KEYWORD. This tells the program to look for this word anywhere in the field. What this means is that you can look for any word or partial word in a character field column. If you are looking in a <D>ate field you must surround the date field name with the statement CTOD(DATEDUE). The DATEDUE is most likely the field that you will have. CTOD simply implies character to date.

All of this may seem difficult at first but in reality it is very easy. You can pick out data from any table. Go ahead and make a mistake, you will be prompted for on-line help giving a description of each.