Selecting a subset of all records - Filters   

What is filtering?

Filtering is a method of limiting the number of records displayed to a certain range. A filter specifies the criteria for the process. A filtering example: list me all the records with the value of the Date' field greater than 01/01/1992' .

Kinds of filters.

A filter can specify a criterion for one or more fields in the record. The more criteria for the filter you specify, the better chance of obtaining the range of records that interest you.

How to access the Filter' function?

The Filter function can be located in the Filter option on the Advanced/Filter option on the Main Menu, and in the Speed Bar (advanced section), at the bottom of the screen. However, the fastest access to filter options is from the Sort Bar displayed at the top of the Table Of Contents above the Record Grid.

How to filter?

When in the Set Filter window:

1. Select fields to be used in the filter (the box on the right) from the fields list on the left.

2. A filter criteria for each field used in the filter can be specified using the Edit button below (see: Setting a filter criterion for a data field).

3. Use the 'Scope' selection to specify the filter kind:

- All records: display all records (clear the filter results).

- Normal filter: use the filter as is.

- Reversed filter: reverse the action of the filter.   

4. Press the Apply button to see the effects of your filter settings.

The result: Filtering results in a range of records that meet your criteria specified in the filter dialog box.

Load filter: Retrieve a previously saved filter from a filter template file.

Save filter: Save current filter in a filter template file.

Note: you can' t set filters for multi-line edit boxes in the filter dialog box. You can use the non stop search function for this purpose.

Hint: you can also use Filters for selecting subsets of records for Printing.

Network, Filter

If more than one person uses the same database on a network and one of them uses Filter function a Local Filter Database will be created. A Local Filter Database is temporary and cannot be modified. You can determine if a Local Filter Database was created by looking at the top status bar above the right panel. If it says "Read Only Access - Local Filter" it means a Local Filter Database is in use.