Exclude condition if the value as search condition is empty

When executing a data retrieval action, if the value specified for a table search condition is empty, the condition can be excluded.

Suppose you want to retrieve data from a table that matches a value entered by you, and you use 'matches' as the retrieval condition for the 'Get * records' action, and specify '=A1' (where cell A1 is the input cell for the value as condition) as the value. In this case, if no value is entered in cell A1, the value as condition will be empty and no data will be retrieved. However, it is often desirable to exclude the condition where the value is empty from the condition.

Here is how to set it up.

Tip

See [FAQ000018]What is the difference between searching for all items and not searching for all items in the case of blank string in the table search condition? for the behavior of empty value as search condition when retrieving data.

Configure settings to exclude conditions.

The following search screen is used to illustrate the process.
Here, 'Project name' (H7), 'Contact person' (H10), and 'Status' (K10) are the conditions to be excluded if the value is empty.
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  1. Create new action set, then open 'Action set setting' dialog.
  2. Place the 'Get multiple records from table' action and specify the source table and columns.
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See also

For information on how to set the columns to retrieve and the columns to display, see Set source columns and display columns

  1. Specify the search condition according to the items on the screen.
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  1. Check the 'If value is empty, exclude' for the condition you want to exclude when the value is empty.
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Tip

  • With 'If value is empty, exclude' being checked, the search will still be executed with the value if it’s not empty.
  • If you specify 'matches one of the following' or 'not matches any of the following' in the condition, the condition will be excluded if all the values are empty.
  1. After clicking the 'OK' button, you will find that the 'If value is empty, exclude' has been set in the search condition.
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  1. Associate the created action set with the 'Search' button on the screen.

Tip

  • If all specified conditions are excluded, the result is the same as for no conditions.
  • For 'and' and 'or' before and after the condition to be excluded, 'and' will be deleted in priority.