Filter the Data File[13]

The results of a filter include or exclude each record that contains data that satisfies the filter's condition sets.

  1. From the Micro Focus Data File Tools window, click File > Open > File, or click (Open File).

    The Open dialog box appears.

  2. Navigate to the required data file, then click Open.

    The Open Data File dialog box appears.

  3. If you are applying a record layout, click Browse to the right of the Structure File (optional) field, then use the Open dialog box to navigate to and select the structure (.str) file that contains the layout.
  4. Click Open Shared (to open the file in read-only mode) or Open Exclusive (to open the file in edit mode).

    The file is displayed on its own tab in the main window.

  5. In the Filter group, click The Filter icon(Filter).

    The Filter dialog box appears.

    Note: If a message appears warning you that a valid temporary directory does not exist, on the Tools menu, click Preferences, enter a valid directory in the Temporary Directory field, then repeat the last step.

    Filters are constructed by adding one or more condition sets.

  6. To add a new set, click New Set.

    The relationship indicator is displayed in the Condition Set column; this determines the relationship between the conditions within the set.

  7. Click the indicator, and select the required relationship:
    Option Description
    AND All conditions in the set must be satisfied.
    OR Only one condition in the set must be satisfied.
  8. You must now add one or more conditions to the set:
    • add a reference condition:
      1. Click New Ref.

        The basic filter elements appear.

      2. In the Field field, enter the start position and the number of positions on from that in which to filter on within each record; for example, values of 7:3 will filter on positions 7 to 9 within each record, as indicated below:

        Example showing a reference condition selection

      3. In the Data Types field, click and select the type of text to filter.
        Tip: Hover over each option for a description of the type.
      4. In the Operator field, click and select the required operator.
      5. In the Value field, enter the filter value.
    • add a field condition:
      Note: This type of condition is only available if you are using a layout.
      1. Click New Field.

        The basic filter elements appear.

      2. In the Field field, click and select the field on which to filter.
        Note: Group fields are not available to select.

        The Data Types field is updated based on the type of field selected.

      3. In the Operator field, click and select the required operator.
      4. In the Value field, enter the filter value.
    Note: You can nest sets within other sets: simply click New Set and configure the set as described above. The results of the set's conditions are then compared with the other conditions and sets in its parent set, and then filtered accordingly.
  9. At the top of the dialog box, select Include (to show records that satisfy the condition sets), or Omit (to remove the records that satisfy the condition sets).
  10. Click Filter.

    The results appear.

    Tip: At this point, you can export the filtered results to a new file using the Search > Export Results option.
  11. You can toggle between the results and the original file by clicking in the Filter group and select None or Filtered.
  12. In the Filter group, click The Filter icon(Filter) again and the last set of conditions that were used is displayed, where you can amend, add or delete conditions, then click Filter again to refine the results of the filter.