Create a simple search form

[Guest]

I've gotten over my head in a project that I have to finish. I've created a
catalog for a small library with basically 1 large table that holds most of
the book data. The users are NOT tech savvy, so I want to create a single
field search form that will match any data in the table and return results.
I've looked through the posts but the problem is, I don't understand how to
do expressions (which is why I think I'm over my head). Is there a way to
build a form that the user can just enter a title or name and have it search
all the fields in the table for a match?

 

[MGFoster]

I've gotten over my head in a project that I have to finish. I've created a
catalog for a small library with basically 1 large table that holds most of
the book data. The users are NOT tech savvy, so I want to create a single
field search form that will match any data in the table and return results.
I've looked through the posts but the problem is, I don't understand how to
do expressions (which is why I think I'm over my head). Is there a way to
build a form that the user can just enter a title or name and have it search
all the fields in the table for a match?

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Yes there is, but, to explain that it take a couple pages and more
knowledge of your DB than you've given. Perhaps someone has some code
they'd be willing to share w/ you.

OR, try the easy route: have you considered the Find command? Place
the cursor on the control (aka field) to be searched and hit the Ctrl-F
key combination.
--
MGFoster:::mgf00 <at> earthlink <decimal-point> net
Oakland, CA (USA)

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[Guest]

I thought about just using the Find command, but the problem is the users. I
know how to do it, but most of them, including the person I'm writing it for
won't.

I can disect a functioning page if someone has an example of how to do this,
I just haven't been able to find one. I read a post about using
FilterByForm, but I need to be able to have an interface to "shield" the
technophobes who need to use the data.

 

[MGFoster]

I thought about just using the Find command, but the problem is the users. I
know how to do it, but most of them, including the person I'm writing it for
won't.

I can disect a functioning page if someone has an example of how to do this,
I just haven't been able to find one. I read a post about using
FilterByForm, but I need to be able to have an interface to "shield" the
technophobes who need to use the data.

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Unless your users are drooling idiots I believe they can be trained how
to use the Find function (Ctrl-F). I usually write a short How To that
is given to all users before they start using the application.

Another method is just to put a label on the form under any control that
says something like this:

Hit Ctrl-F to Search for the Last Name
--
MGFoster:::mgf00 <at> earthlink <decimal-point> net
Oakland, CA (USA)

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[SteveS]

I don't understand why you would want to search "all fields". Do you mean you
would want to search for a title in the author field or in the ISBN field?

I won't promise a solution, but if you have a copy of the database that you can
delete all but about 20 records, compact it, WinZip it and send it to me, I
will take a look at it over the weekend (when I have time).