I'm using Numbers 3.6.2
I'm trying to use eg. "*" when using Search and Replace but it doesn't work. I just get a "Not Found" response
Numbers for Mac 3.0: Ways to use the string operator and wildcards
Any one have any ideas about what could be wrong?
MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2012), iOS 9.3.5
"I'm trying to use eg. "*" when using Search and Replace but it doesn't work."
Short answer: "It doesn't work" is Correct.
Find and replace in Numbers searches for the specific string of characters entered in the Find box and replaces that specific string with whatever you've placed in the Replace box. It does not offer the option of limiting the finds to "whole words" nor does it offer the option of using the wild cards * or ? (or ~).
From the linked article (emphasis added):
"The string operator (&) can be used in formulas, and wildcards (*,?,~) can be used in conditions."
(note there is no mention of use in the Find and Replace dialogue.)
"conditions" are required arguments in the ...IF and ...IFS functions.
An internet search using "search" as a keyword will include this article in its results because the discussion includes the SEARCH( ) function as one which requires the ~ operator to treat the wildcard characters * and ? as literals rather than wildcards.
Regards,
Barry
Tx Barry. I'm going to assume the only work-around is to create IF-functions and run in all the cells
You're welcome. thanks for the green tick.
Post again if you run into problems with the IF functions.
Regards,
Barry
er_ltman wrote:
I'm going to assume the only work-around is to create IF-functions and run in all the cells
Probably a short script would be far more efficient than a bunch of IF functions, but would need more specifics on what you are trying to do.
SG
"Probably a short script would be far more efficient than a bunch of IF functions..."
Quite likely.
Barry
If you would be willing to help a little re scripting it would be much appreciated. I could probably pull it off in VBA but I've never used the scripts in Numbers and wouldn't even know where to find the editor...
Basically I would be looking at:
-searching in cells A1:A100
-for a"*string*" (ideally a reference to cells where I can input my searchstrings as a variables). B1:B20
-and replace the content in cells D1:D100 with my input in C1:C20
In cell D1 =IF(A1=B1;C1;A1)
Where
B1= *izz*
C1=Pizza
So A1 would return Pizza for all hits when searching for *izz* and the original value of A1 if there was no hits for the search string. Then obviously continuing to search for the string in B2 and replace with C2 etc
Tx in advance to whoever sets his/her teeth into this
Any other smarter ways to filter and clean a relatively large amount of data btw? I basically need to convert 1000 different products into, say 10, different product groups
er_ltman wrote:
Any other smarter ways to filter and clean a relatively large amount of data btw? I basically need to convert 1000 different products into, say 10, different product groups
I have a hard time following your references to different ranges, etc. A specific example with a screenshot would be much easier to follow. I would need that and a better understanding of your clean-up exercise before suggesting an AppleScript.
However, it strikes me that you should first consider using the built-in filtering function in Numbers? It's powerful and flexible.
After filtering the results are this (allowing you to fill in 'Pizza' in the group column).
Repeating that a few times for 10 or so different product groups would be quick and easy.
SG
Filtering seems to do the trick for me. Tx a bunch
Wildcard in Numbers not working
