topic Re: Select in Field Action - wildcard value in Search String in QlikView

Select in Field Action - wildcard value in Search String

dmohanty — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:06:17 GMT

Hi All,

I want to pass a value in Search String of the Select in Field Action, which is dynamic and changes frequently.

Let's say, the field name is Product and it has value is in format 'Medicine_*'. Today it can be 'Medicine_Tablet', the next day it can be 'Medicine_Capsule', some other day it can be 'Medicine_Cream'.

Each day has a unique 'Medicine_*' value.

What Function/How would be the value/function in Search String value?

Select in Field - PRODUCT

Search String - 'Medicine_*'

Re: Select in Field Action - wildcard value in Search String

sunny_talwar — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:11:00 GMT

This should work without the single quotes around it

Medicine_*

Re: Select in Field Action - wildcard value in Search String

dmohanty — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:28:27 GMT

stalwar1

Thank you.

I was trying some sort of functions, but didn't try this one out, though I wrote it here . This works fine now.

However, the Current Selection Box shows as Medicine_*, instead of the actual name selected.

Re: Select in Field Action - wildcard value in Search String

sunny_talwar — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:32:41 GMT

However, the Current Selection Box shows as Medicine_*, instead of the actual name selected.

Yes, that is one short coming of using Select in field actions I guess. The work around would be to create a concatenated list of all Medicine_* using set analysis and then use select in action... but then you will see something like this

(Medicine_Tablet|Medicine_Capsule|....)

Re: Select in Field Action - wildcard value in Search String

dmohanty — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:37:05 GMT

stalwar1

Good idea.

But that is doable only if I know all the possible value names before hand. The values (Medicine_Tablet, Medicine_Capsule, etc ) are User Input and unknown to developers.

Anyways, thanks for the suggestion.

Re: Select in Field Action - wildcard value in Search String

sunny_talwar — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:38:32 GMT

Not true... you can use something like this

='(' & Concat(DISTINCT {<PRODUCT = {"Medicine_*"}>} PRODUCT, '|') & ')'

Re: Select in Field Action - wildcard value in Search String

dmohanty — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:42:12 GMT

Cool. Thanks stalwar1

I will give it a try.

Re: Select in Field Action - wildcard value in Search String

swuehl — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:47:17 GMT

You can also add another action, with a selection of all possible values in field PRODUCT, after your first action.

This replaces the wildcard search with the explicite selected field values in field PRODUCT in your current selections.

Re: Select in Field Action - wildcard value in Search String

sunny_talwar — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:56:57 GMT

Have never tried this and it makes so much sense. How do you come up with these hidden never heard tricks? You need to publish a hidden tricks book for all of us

Re: Select in Field Action - wildcard value in Search String

dmohanty — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:58:31 GMT

Good approach.

Thanks swuehl

Re: Select in Field Action - wildcard value in Search String

James10 — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:34:47 GMT

Hi,
Wildcard values in a Select in Field action can sometimes behave differently depending on how the search string is interpreted. It’s worth checking the exact search mode, field values, https://medannotate.com and wildcard syntax being used. A small reproducible example with the expected and actual selection behavior would also make troubleshooting much easier for the community.

Re: Select in Field Action - wildcard value in Search String

larry99 — Sat, 05 Sep 2026 06:36:58 GMT

Hello,

Wildcard searches can be tricky when the value comes from a variable or action, especially if the search string is interpreted differently than expected. It helps to keep the expression simple and test the generated value separately. For readers in San Diego, choosing a reliable, lab-tested local provider can also make product selection easier, such as a dispensary in Mission Bay.