Microsoft KB Archive/39648

Microsoft Knowledge Base

File: Find Command Finds More Than Expected

Last reviewed: October 27, 1994
Article ID: Q39648

Summary:

In Microsoft File, using the Find command to find text entries that include a comma (for example, searching for the string Paris, TX) may return more matches than is expected (for example, Paris, TX; Paris, France; Austin, TX; etc.). The Find command in Microsoft File uses a comma as an OR operator. Therefore, in the case of a search on the string Paris, TX, File finds all "Paris" entries and/or all "TX" entries.

To find a text entry that contains a comma (for example, Paris, TX), place double quotation marks around the entry in the Find dialog box (for example, "Paris, TX"). The quotation marks make File ignore the comma as an OR operator and, instead, read the text between the quotation marks literally. Thus, File searches only for entries that contain the string "Paris, TX", instead of searching for entries that contain "Paris" and/or "TX" as part of the string.

Additional reference words: KBCategory: kbusage KBSubcategory: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Last reviewed: October 27, 1994 ©1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Legal Notices.