How to use LIKE in expression

[LonnieJohnson]

I want to evaluate a field in an expression. I want to say if it is LIKE something then make it something else. I am not able to just use LIKE in my formula. How is that done?

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[PatriciaObreja]

Use Left() function if you want to compare the first characters from a string with another string.
if Left('abc', 2) = 'ab' then
true
else
false

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[smcnulty2000]

Here is an example:

if {@formula} like "*ABC*"
then true
else false

Another example

if {@formula} like "A?C"
then true
else false

In the first case, the asterisk is for any number of characters, in the second, the question mark indicates one and only one character. You can use fields or formulas, with all the attendant precautions.

You can also use Instr in a similar fashion.

if {@formula} like "*ABC*"
then true
else false

becomes

if instr({@formula},"ABC",1)>0
then true
else false

Instr returns a numeric location in the string. Hence the >0 indicates anywhere. If you want to know if it were the first you'd make it

if instr({@formula},"ABC",1)=1
then true
else false

No reason not to use Like if you prefer it.


And of course in all of these cases you can remove the true false, like this:

{@formula} like "*ABC*"

because this returns a true or false and the if-then is implied. I included them above for clarity's sake. And you may want to return something other than true/false such as a string or a number, or the result of another equation.