Find Command

[RLang]

Hi,
I've used the FIND command in conjunction with wildcard characters to
find string patterns in a worksheet cell. Can anyone tell me if I can do the
same thing in VBA against a string variable that I've read in from a file
rather than referencing a cell? Apparently INSTR doesn't allow wildcard
characters.

Thanks much.

 

[Rick Rothstein \(MVP - VB\)]

Can you give us an example of some of the more complicated "patterns" you
are trying to locate the position of?

Rick

 

[Peter T]

See "Like" in help, maybe

Regards,
Peter T

 

[RLang]

Hi Rick,
The string I'm reading in from a file will include a product description
and may include length and width values following a certain pattern. Below
is an example string. There may be a couple variations on a theme which I
could account for with a limited number of search patterns.

"IJ180C-10 WHITE C/T W/COMPLY 54 IN X 50 YDS"

When this string was in a cell and I did the FIND command I entered " * IN X
* YD" into the search box and it found it just fine. I can't depend on every
string having this information (some list MISC SIZES) and I have to go
somewhere else to get the dimensions (long story).

 

[RLang]

Hi Peter,
LIKE worked with wildcard characters. I think I can reliably use this
with a subsequent INSTR command to get the location of the pattern within the
string.

Thanks much.

 

[Rick Rothstein \(MVP - VB\)]

After looking at Peter T's response, it occurs to me that I may have been
over thinking your question. I thought you were (eventually) trying to
isolate the measurement section of the text. If that was your goal, then
this is what I would suggest you do...

Text = "IJ180C-10 WHITE C/T W/COMPLY 54 IN X 50 YDS"
If Text Like " * IN X * YDS" Then
Measurement = Trim(Mid(T, InStrRev(T, " ", InStr(T, " IN X ") - 1)))
End If

But in reading Peter T's message, I now think you only wanted the If-Then
part of the code above.

Note: There are 2 spaces in front of the IN, not one as you showed in your
message.

Rick

 

[Rick Rothstein \(MVP - VB\)]

But then in reading your response to Peter T, I guess I didn't over think
the question too much after all... the code I posted should do what you
want.

Rick

 

[Peter T]

I could, nay should have added in my post - search this ng for excellent
examples of the use of "Like" by Rick <g>

Regards,
Peter T

 

[Rick Rothstein \(MVP - VB\)]

Thank you for that very nice compliment... I really appreciate it. As for
searching posts by me that use the Like operator, the compiled VB newsgroups
probably have a ton of them as I have been an advocate of the Like operator
for years over there.

Rick

 

[Rick Rothstein \(MVP - VB\)]

Text = "IJ180C-10 WHITE C/T W/COMPLY 54 IN X 50 YDS"

If Text Like " * IN X * YDS" Then
Measurement = Trim(Mid(T, InStrRev(T, " ", InStr(T, " IN X ") - 1)))
End If

Note: There are 2 spaces in front of the IN, not one as you showed in your
message.

Of course, IF there are ALWAYS two or more spaces if front of the
measurement, there is a much simpler assignment statement available...

Text = "IJ180C-10 WHITE C/T W/COMPLY 54 IN X 50 YDS"
If Text Like " * IN X * YDS" Then
Measurement = Mid$(T, InStrRev(T, " ") + 2)
End If


Rick