Rachel I assume what you're trying to do is re-import mapping new data to fields in records that already exist (otherwise, those fields for new records would be empty already so it's not an issue). Since I can't really address your specific situation and don't know what "data" you would be importing, I can't give you a detailed suggestion. But you can use the User Fields as temporary storage for imported data. Then, depending on the type of data that you've imported, you _can_ do global replaces on value list fields - you just need to do it carefully.
The way you do it is: First always make a backup before trying something new. You can do a global replace on that field (for the found set you're working with) in which you replace the field contents with both the contents of the field itself (thus preserving what's already in that field) plus whatever value you want to add. In order to do this, you will need to place your cursor in the field you want to do the replace on (you should first edit the value list if the value you want checked isn't in the list). You can either click in a blank part of the field or click the value you want to add. Then, select the Filemaker Replace command (either from the Filemaker menu or from the Scripts menu) and select "replace with a calculated result." Then, in the Specify Calculation dialog box, scroll down the list of fields in the upper left box, find the field name you are doing the replacement in and double click that field name. (For example, you might do this on the Bio:Affiliations field in the Profile file, and you'd need to select the Profile file first and then look for the Bio:Affiliations field.) At this point, the field name should be the first item in the calculation box. Next, click the "&" button in the list of operators to the right of the field name list (spaces will appear to either side of the & symbol). Then, click the quote mark button in that same list of operators (a set of quotes will appear with your cursor in the middle), click the paragraph operator button to insert a paragraph break and type the value you want to add exactly as it appears in the value list. Both the paragraph operator and the value text should be between the quote marks. The calculation for our example above should look like this: PROFILE::BIO:AFFILIATIONS & "#NWF" (where # above represents the paragraph break operator which I can't use in the body of this email) Finally, select "OK" and "Replace" in the calculation and replace dialog boxes. Check your records to make sure it worked. Hope this is useful. Carl Rachel Walden wrote: > > I couldn't find this in the archives, maybe you can help. I know how to > import basic text data such as name, address, phone, etc. However, I'm > wondering if it is possible to import information that will go in > pull-down lists or check boxes, without destroying any existing data. > For example, could I import information for people and automatically tag > them as "air" or some other issue in the activist issues without > replacing any interests they might already have? I'm assuming this can't > be done, that it would be similar to performing a replace which would > wipe out other info. > > Thanks, > Rachel Walden > Southern Alliance for Clean Energy > PO Box 1842 Knoxville, TN 37901 > Phone: 865-637-6055 or toll-free 1-866-522-SACE > Fax: 865-524-4479 > Web: www.cleanenergy.org > > ------------------ > Reminder to each recipient: To change your list account preferences, go to > http://email.sparklist.com/scripts/lyris.pl?enter=support and enter the email >address you used to subscribe to the ebase support list:: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > ebase - Relationship Management for Nonprofits, http://www.ebase.org > --------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Carl Paulsen New Hampshire Rivers Council 54 Portsmouth Street Concord, NH 03301 603-228-6472 603-228-0423 Fax [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------ Reminder to each recipient: To change your list account preferences, go to http://email.sparklist.com/scripts/lyris.pl?enter=support and enter the email address you used to subscribe to the ebase support list:: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ebase - Relationship Management for Nonprofits, http://www.ebase.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------
