Conditions - wildcards
Values entered when creating filters, or using runtime entry forms, and used with an operator of like, includes or use wildcard can contain wildcards to allow for pattern matching.
Acceptable wildcards are dependent on the database being used.
Microsoft SQL Server accepts the following wildcards:
| Wildcard | Searches for | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| '%' percentage | Any string of zero or more characters |
Mc% searches for all names that begin with the letters Mc (McAlister, McAlpine). % ley will search for all names that end with 'ley' (Riley, Tisley). % od% will search for all names that include the letters od ( Hodges, Bellwood). Note: In SQL Server trailing blanks are ignored.
|
| '_' underscore | Any single character. | __ward searches for all six letter names ending with ward (Haward, Seward). |
| '[ ]' square brackets | Any single character within the specified range, for example '[a-f]', or the specified set, for example '[abcdef]'. | [CK] ars [eo] n searches for all names that begin with C or K, followed by ars, then e or o and end with n (Carsen, Carson, Karsen, Karson). |
| '[^]' square brackets and caret | Any single character not within the specified range, for example '[^a-f]', or the specified set, for example '[^abcdef]'. | M[^a-n]% searches for all names that begin with the letter M and do not have the letters a to n as a second letter (Mortali, Murphy). |
Oracle accepts the following wildcards:
| Wildcard | Searches for | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| '%' percentage | Any string of zero or more characters or spaces. |
Mc% searches for all names that begin with the letters Mc (McAlister, McAlpine). % ley will search for all names that end with 'ley' (Riley, Tisley). % od% will search for all names that include the letters od ( Hodges, Bellwood). Note: In Oracle trailing blanks are not ignored.
|
| '_' underscore | Any single character or space. | __ward searches for all six letter names ending with ward (Haward, Seward). |