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ILH
Canada
120 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 28 2008 : 08:07:54
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Nigel,
I'm using 7.10R - and I can't find a 'search and replace' feature for information in the database. I see the 'set field' option - but this doesn't appear to work the same way. Here's what I'm trying do do...
I have about 500+ names. About 40% of them have a custom field set to a specific branch name. I'm trying to update the branch name in once action - but when I use the set field option, and use the old branch name as the condition, it won't change them. Does the condition have to be of another field?
Seems to me there was a 'search and replace' feature in version 6 - or do I have that wrong?
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Ian Hubling
ian@hubling.com |
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xequte
7042 Posts |
Posted - Apr 28 2008 : 14:30:39
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Hi Ian
There is a function for updating all domains. e.g. *@old_ISP_Name to *@new_ISP_Name, but not in areas such as company name.
However you can just export your contacts to Excel, do a search and replace there and import it back into the same database. MLK will update all changed details.
Nigel
Xequte Software
www.xequte.com
nigel@xequte.com
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ILH
Canada
120 Posts |
Posted - Apr 28 2008 : 19:25:47
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Ok - but how is the "set field" option supposed to work? I can't seem to make it work, even though it seems intuitively simple. Wouldn't this be an effective search and replace alternative?
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Ian Hubling
ian@hubling.com |
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xequte
7042 Posts |
Posted - Apr 28 2008 : 21:04:54
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Right, the "Set Field" function. I completely forgot about that 
Yes, you can use that. For instance to change all company names of "Acme_Old" to "Acme_New":
1. Display all members
2. Click Ctrl+A to select all
3. Select Edit>Set Field of Selected Members
4. Specify:
Company Field: Acme_New
Only if Company Field = Acme_Old
5. Click OK
Nigel
Xequte Software
www.xequte.com
nigel@xequte.com
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ILH
Canada
120 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 07:23:12
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Nigel,
The set field is not working. I'm not sure if it is because it is a shared database, or because the field I'm trying to modify is a custom field. I've tried doing all of the records as well as just a couple - same results - no change.
I even tried being a bit more imaginative... thinking that maybe I couldn't change the field that I'm testing, I created a new custom field. Using the set field option, I tried to create a simple marker in the new field for every occurrance of the word that I wanted to change in the old field. Then, on the second pass, I could test for the marker and change the old field. A sort of shell game... But it didn't work either.
Any ideas?
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Ian Hubling
ian@hubling.com |
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ILH
Canada
120 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 07:44:52
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I've confirmed that sharing the database isn't the issue. I made sure the other machines closed/unloaded MLK and I retried the set field option - but still unable to make it work.
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Ian Hubling
ian@hubling.com |
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xequte
7042 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 17:07:53
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Hi Ian
Sorry I missed your comment referring to it as a custom field.
The condition ("If Field...") handling functions differently with custom fields. Can you tell me your exact selections for all of the items in the "Set Field" dialog so i can investigate it.
Nigel
Xequte Software
www.xequte.com
nigel@xequte.com
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ILH
Canada
120 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 11:16:56
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I'll send you an email with screen shots.
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Ian Hubling
ian@hubling.com |
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ILH
Canada
120 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2008 : 10:19:26
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Nigel,
I've exported the list, done the search and replace in excel. Now, when I'm importing it back in, I'm only allowed to match up the default fields. For the custom fields, it only allows me one choice "add as custom field".
Will MLK match up the custom fields too? Or will it add a new custom field even though one of the same name already exists?
Thanks.
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Ian Hubling
ian@hubling.com |
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xequte
7042 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2008 : 17:09:12
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Hi Ian
I'm away from the office this weekend and don't have the code in front of me. But almost certainly it should replace the current custom field with the new one. You can do a small test import of a few addresses to confirm.
Nigel
Xequte Software
www.xequte.com
nigel@xequte.com
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Search and Replace
