Using Table Filters
Introduction
Filtering table rows is accomplished by entering search text into a filter field.
You can use either strict text matching or regular expressions in the filter fields that are provided on various screens. Regular expressions are enabled by checking the "Advanced" box.
A regular expression is a sequence of characters that forms a search pattern, mainly for use in pattern matching with text.
Usage
The Filter Field
You can filter the content of tables by entering search text into the filter field. This field will remove any non matching rows from the view so that you can concentrate on just the rows that match.
The rows are not removed from the database; they are simply hidden them from view.
Controlling Text Matches
When using advanced filter mode, you can control where in the target text the matches should be made. The following is a list of metacharacters that affect the location of the filtered text:
Metacharacter
- The ^ (caret) means look only at the beginning of the target text, for example, ^Win will not find Windows in 'Microsoft Windows' but ^Mic will find Microsoft.
- The $ (dollar) means look only at the end of the target text, for example, fox$ will be found in 'red fox' since it appears at the end of the text but not in 'the fox jumped over the moon'.
- The . (period) means any character(s) in this position, for example, ton. will find tons, tone and tonneau but not wanton because it has no following character.
- The ? (question mark) matches when the preceding character occurs 0 or 1 times only, for example, colou?r will find both color (u is found 0 times) and colour (u is found 1 time).
- The * (asterisk or star) matches when the preceding character occurs 0 or more times, for example, tre* will find tree (e is found 2 times) and tread (e is found 1 time) and trough (e is found 0 times).
- The + (plus) matches when the preceding character occurs 1 or more times, for example, tre+ will find tree (e is found 2 times) and tread (e is found 1 time) but NOT trough (0 times).
You can read more about Regular Expressions at the following sites: