Replacing the contents of a field

Important  This process overwrites a field in every record (or every record in the found set) with a new value. You can't undo replacing field values. Before you begin, consider making a backup copy of the file.

To replace field values in every record in the found set:

  1. If necessary, find, omit, or sort the records in the database table.

    See Finding records and Sorting records.

  2. In Browse mode, in the current record, select the contents of the field you want to replace.

  3. If you're replacing data with a constant value (instead of serialized numbers or a calculated result), type the value.

  4. Choose Records menu > Replace Field Contents.

  5. Select an option.

    To replace each value with

    Select

    The value in the currently selected field

    Replace with "<value>". The contents of the field is replaced for the entire found set.

    A serialized number

    Replace with serial numbers, then type the starting value for the serial numbers in Initial value, and the incremental value in Increment by.

    If the field is defined to automatically enter a serial number, you can select Update serial number in Entry Options to reset the next value in the Options for Field dialog box.

    A calculated value

    Replace with calculated result. In the Specify Calculation dialog box, enter the calculation you want evaluated. (The result must match the field type of the replaced field.) Click OK.

  6. Click Replace.

Notes 

  • You can't replace calculation or summary fields.

  • If the field that contains the replaced data is validated, FileMaker Pro doesn't validate the new data. See Defining field validation.

  • By default, when you replace the contents of a field, other fields in that record with auto-enter options are also updated as needed. For example, if another field has the Modification auto-enter option set to Timestamp, that field's value changes to the current date and time when the selected field's contents is replaced.

    However, if you are signed in with an account that has full access privileges, the Perform auto-enter options for fields option is available in the Replace Field Contents dialog. You can deselect this option to prevent updating other fields with auto-enter options. See Defining automatic data entry.

  • If you select Update serial number in Entry Options, the next automatically entered value for this field (after the replace is performed) follows in sequence. If you clear this option, the next value isn't changed in the Options for Field dialog box. The next automatically entered value is based on the current settings (not in sequence with the records reserialized by this replace task).

  • The Replace Field Contents command is performed without committing the active record. See Committing data in records.

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