VISUAL QUICKPRO GUIDE FileMaker Pro 7 Advanced FOR WINDOWS AND MACINTOSH [Electronic resources]

Sorting Case- Sensitive Data

In previous versions of FileMaker, sorting was not case sensitive. So, if two entries began with A and a, they would be sorted without regard to case. FileMaker 7 uses a new sorting algorithm which is case sensitive.

If there will be times when case sensitivity is critical (as with account names or passwords), you can create a calculation field to use for Sorts.

To clean up case variations in fields

1 .

In the database with a case-sensitive sort, choose File > Define Fields (Control+Shift+D/Command+Shift+D).

2 .

In the Field list, click the field to be sorted. (We use the field Company.) Click to the right of the name in the Field Name box. Type a space and Sort after the name. Change the Type to Calculation and click Create (Figure 15.25).

3 .When the Specify Calculation dialog box appears, scroll down the function list on the right and double-click "Lower." With the word "text:" highlighted, double- click the field to be sorted. Click the "Calculation result is" drop-down list and choose Text (Figure 15.26). Click OK twice to finish.

4 .In any Sort (either manual or by script), use this calculated field instead of the text field, and the records will sort without regard to case.