From the Select Search Instructions window, select an existing search instruction, and click Edit
When you select the New, Clone, or Edit button, the Search Instructions window displays. In the Search Name field, you enter the name for the search instruction set. In the scrolling list, you can view the individual lines that make up the search instruction. In the Comparison Value field, you enter data to define those individual lines.
Search Name
Enter a unique name for search instructions so that they can be retrieved at a later date.
Search Instruction scrolling area
This section contains a list of the search instructions for the specified Search Name.
Insert button
Used to enter a new instruction.
Remove button
Used to delete an instruction.
Mode selection options
The mode specifies the calculation you will be performing for your search criteria. The following options can be specified:
Comparison - Compares a specified field to a given value. For example, you can specify that a field value equal the given value, be greater than, less than, and so forth. Comparison is the most commonly used string.
The fields in the Comparison area include the following:
■ File - Name of the file (table) that contains the field you are comparing. Comparison lines only.
■ Field - Name of the data field whose contents or value is being searched for the comparison. Comparison lines only.
■ Equal to - (Default) Dictates that the field value must precisely match the value (or one of multiple values) specified in the Comparison Value field.
Note: For an Equal to comparison, you can enter multiple values separated by commas (no spaces) in the Comparison Value field. With multiple values, a record passes the comparison test if the field data matches any one of the comparison values (iMIS assumes a logical OR).
■ Contains - Similar to Equal To, but instead of requiring an exact match of the entire field value, it requires that a continuous character string anywhere in the field match the comparison value. This option is typically used to find values in a list string field.
■ Begins with - Looks for a continuous character string at the beginning of the field contents. It tries to match that string with the comparison value. For example, use Begins with to search for records whose last names begin with “W.”
■ Greater than or equal - Requires that the field value be greater than or equal to the comparison value. This type is used as one side of a two-part specification for a range of values. A typical use is for date fields.
■ Less than or equal - Requires that a field's value be less than or equal to comparison value. This type also serves as the second half of a range specification. A typical use is for date fields.
■ Not equal - Searches for records in which the contents of the named field do not match the specified comparison value (or any of the multiple values, separated by commas).
Note: For a Not equal comparison, you can enter multiple values if you separate them with commas (no spaces). With multiple values, a record passes the comparison test only if the field's data does not match any of the values (iMIS assumes AND).
■ Comparison Value - For Comparison lines, this text box contains the value or character string you are comparing to the field contents. For Calculation lines, this area contains the full formula for the True/False evaluation.
Calculation - Allows you to enter a formula to compute. The calculation results are a true or false condition. A true condition result includes the record in the search results.
AND - Use between two search lines to require a record to pass both conditions before it is included in your search results. By default, AND is assumed between adjoining lines, except when the same field is specified in adjoining comparison lines and the mode is Equal to, Begins with, or Contains. In this case, OR is assumed.
OR - Use between two search lines to require a record to pass only one of the two conditions. OR must be entered to specify anything other than AND. The exception is when the same field is specified in adjoining comparison lines and the mode is Equal to, Begins with, or Contains. In this case, OR is assumed.
Note: When you are entering a character string, you must enclose the string in single quotes.
Print button
Used to generate and send a search instruction report to your report destination.