Treat whole individual record as text ?

gbrowne · Post by **gbrowne** » 09 Feb 2010 12:48

When creating a custom search, is it possible to match text anywhere within an individuals record, rather than the seperate fields ?

For example, I have used the text 'TODO:' to indicate a non-urgent task that needs tidying up later, in various note fields of several persons.

I am now writing a query to find all these records so I can have an auto-refreshed named list of non-urgent tasks.

So far, I am able to match for say %INDI.NOTE2[1]% contains TODO and that finds some of the records, but not all, as they are in different types of note field.

Anyone got any ideas please ?

Cheers,
Geoff.

ID:4345

PeterR · Post by **PeterR** » 09 Feb 2010 13:28

Geoff,
The standard query Contains Text should do this for you. It uses the =ContainsText() function with the 3rd parameter set to 'EXT' so that it also looks at linked Notes, etc. See the Help file for the ContainsText function.

gbrowne · Post by **gbrowne** » 09 Feb 2010 13:30

Thanks for that Peter - works a treat.
Easy when you know how eh ?

Cheers,
Geoff.

gbrowne · Post by **gbrowne** » 10 Feb 2010 11:05

Peter,

If I wanted to now fill a named list with the results of that query, how would I do it please ? I have the records window up, the named list is there, I click on it and the headings come up as expected, but it says . I put the named list in the auto-create list and restarted FH but still empty. If I run the query by itself, it produces the correct results.

G.

JonAxtell · Post by **JonAxtell** » 10 Feb 2010 12:34

The auto create named list feature is to create the lists if they doesn't already exist in the Gedcom file. Named lists are stored in the Gedcom so if you have a new Gedcom, the auto create feature will ensure that your favourite lists are ready for use.

To put the results of the query into a named list, use the menu button available in the query window. That's the button that looks like a mini menu with a tick on it and is on the far right. Then select the Add Result Set Records to Named List... option.

gbrowne · Post by **gbrowne** » 10 Feb 2010 15:33

Thanks for that Jon,

So if I click 'Add Result Set Records to Named List' will that then refresh the named 'todo' list each time I open FH ? Or do I need to delete the list, then restart FH to make it refresh it ?

If they don't keep themselves refreshed by the results of a query, I can't quite see what the point is ?

G.

JonAxtell · Post by **JonAxtell** » 12 Feb 2010 07:52

Named lists are not dynamic. They have to be manually updated, either by adding removing records or using a query to populate the list.

To keep your named list up to date you will need to re run your query manually. When putting the results of the query into the named list make sure you tick the 'Replace current list contents' tickbox. Restarting FH will not affect the process.

I couldn't find a wish list item for making queries auto-run on startup, but it could be a useful feature so help yourself to making the request.

gbrowne · Post by **gbrowne** » 12 Feb 2010 07:56

Hi Jon,

Thanks, that explains why I am having no luck making it auto-update

So when the manual says that if the specified names lists don't exist at startup they are created for you - they are just created null ? Isn't that a bit pointless ?

Cheers,
Geoff.

JonAxtell · Post by **JonAxtell** » 12 Feb 2010 08:01

gbrowne said:
So when the manual says that if the specified names lists don't exist at startup they are created for you - they are just created null ? Isn't that a bit pointless ?

Yes it is a bit pointless. Since it is commonly recommended to use a single Gedcom unless your projects are widely different, then having blank named lists created (and even then only a limited number) in Gedcoms which don't already have the named lists is going to be an infrequently used feature in my view.

YouTube · Post by **Jane** » 15 Feb 2010 09:47

Another option might be to use a flag, which with V4 you can add to the Property box to tick the records. You can set it the first time from your Contains Text Query, and then simply untick/tick it as you mark records which need work.

gbrowne · Post by **gbrowne** » 15 Feb 2010 09:56

Thanks Jane,

Yes that is a good idea. It would only mark the whole record though, not highlight actual detail that needs work, but a useful suggestion which I think I will implement.

It's odd given all the useful, rich, data-handling features that FH4 has, that some sort of 'dynamic named list' isn't available.

I suppose it could be done with an external application (a little bit like GC) that watches the GEDCOM file and rebuilds a named list in it, whenever the GEDCOM is updated by FH. Of course, FH would then recognise the change made by the external app, reload the data and trash all your open views

Cheers,
Geoff.

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