Hi All, Here at the Guggenheim, we're on version 9.35. I don't remember which version they updated search and replace in (I think it was 9.2) - it now allows searches across many, many fields in all modules and there is the option to search across the entire database or across the current result set. You still can't replace <null> with a string, as it's a search and replace rather than an insert function, but that can be done through query analyzer with a sql statement that GS support would probably help you or someone on your staff write. For updating the ex-collection related constituents, I'd recommend the use of the Form Designer to place an ex-collection constituent control on the data entry screen, thus bypassing the step of selecting "Ex-Collections Related" from the drop-down list before creating the link. -Jeri [log in to unmask] 212-423-3509 -----Original Message----- From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Christine Droll Sent: Friday, August 24, 2007 11:35 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Data Clean-up Questions Dear Ashley, This is a major drawback in TMS--the global search and replace is pitiful; limited to only a few fields. And even those fields have to have some data in them. Once a record is created, and there's no Credit Line, for example, you cannot make an Object Package and then globally add the Credit Line to those records that have nothing. Adding Constituents to the Related Constituents fields in the Object record can only be done on a record-by-record basis: nothing global there, either. As for the ditto component, you can create a template Object record and then use it for records that have minimal differences among the whole lot. Just make sure you populate the fields you want, otherwise you'll have the distinct unpleasantness of having an empty field that won't work on a search-and-replace basis. I come from an Argus legacy, which had wonderful front-end data-entry features. TMS's response has been to write a (back-end) SQL statement that can be run through the server's Query Analyzer, and that may be the way to go for your task with the 2300 records. Good luck! Christine Droll Collections Database Administrator The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art 4525 Oak Street Kansas City, MO 64111-1873 Office: 816.751.1333 Fax: 816.751.0499 -----Original Message----- From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ashley Burke Sent: Friday, August 24, 2007 10:02 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Data Clean-up Questions Hello All- I am a fairly new user of TMS and have a few questions about capabilities. Previous to work on TMS, I worked with the database KE EMu and I am trying to locate some of the same tools that I found with that database. Namely, I am looking for a ditto function and a global search and replace function. By ditto function, I am referring to the idea that you can set a record as a template and simply ditto the information from the template into the current record I am working on. For example, I have a set of 2300 records that need the culture changed and need the provenance added (in the ex-collection related field). By global search and replace (I found the information about search and replace in the database maintenance, but this is very limited) I refer to pulling up a set of records (maybe in an object package) and select a field in all of those records that I want to change and read something else. For example, I have a set of records that I want to change their credit line. If either of these capabilities are available, your guidance is greatly appreciated. I should also note that I am working in TMS version 9.20.2028, which I believe is an older version. Thanks, Ashley Ashley Burke Assistant Registrar Ringling Museum of Art 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 [log in to unmask] 941-359-5700 ext. 1504