You can expand the number of results that are returned when your Request is run.
Note: This function is available through a special button (Expand Search) that appears on the Filters tab of the Workbench window. You will not see this button unless you have the correct user permissions set.
Think of information in a database as tables with rows and columns. For example, the Salesman and Car inventory data can be represented as the simplified tables below. (Your actual database may have many more data items and rows of data in it.) Both tables include the data item Salesman ID. When you run your Request, Foxfire! looks for values for Salesman ID in table 1 that match values for Salesman ID in table 2 and only returns data items that match from both tables.
Table 1: Car Inventory
| SalesmanID | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Honda | Civic |
| 3 | Toyota | Cressida |
| Ford | Escort |
Table 2: Salesman
| SalesmanID | Last | First |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clarke | Stephen |
| 2 | Smith | Jon |
| 3 | Jones | Bill |
If the data returned is not what you want (for example, say you want to see cars that have no Salesman ID entered) you could expand your search to include these values in your results.
To expand a search:
- Go to the Filter Results tab of the Workbench window. How do I get to this tab?
- Click Expand Search at the right of the window.Note: If you do not see this button, you may not have the permissions set. For help, contact your system administrator.
- The grid on the left allows you to include data items that don’t have matching values in your results. The new results are depicted graphically in the Venn diagram at the right. You can change the information returned by using the check-boxes within the grid or the diagram. The dialog box will update to reflect the new information when a check-box has been selected or cleared. Check one or more of the check-boxes to specify which unmatched data items will be included in your search.
- No boxes are checked If none of the boxes are checked (the default), Foxfire! looks at each row of table 1, Car Inventory, and compares it to each row of table 2, Salesman. When a match on Salesman ID is found, the information for these two rows is combined and the data items you selected are returned.
Data returned when no boxes are checked:SalesmanIDMakeModelLastFirst2HondaCivicSmithJon3ToyotaCressidaJonesBill - Car Inventory box is checked If you check the Car Inventory box, Foxfire! looks at each row of table 1, Car Inventory, and compares it to each row of table 2, Salesman. When a match on Salesman ID is found, the information for these two rows is combined and returned. In addition, since the “Car Inventory” box is checked, Foxfire! will return all rows of table 1 (Car Inventory) that do not have a match in table 2 (Salesman). Data returned when Car Inventory is checked:SalesmanIDMakeModelLastFirst2HondaCivicSmithJon3ToyotaCressidaJonesBillNULLFordEscortNULLNULL
- Salesman box is checked If you check the Salesman box, Foxfire! looks at each row of table 1, Car Inventory, and compares it to each row of table 2, Salesman. When a match on Salesman ID is found, the information for these two rows is combined and returned. In addition, since the “Salesmen” box is checked, Foxfire! will return all rows of table 2 (Salesman) that do not have a match in table 1 (Car Inventory). Data returned when Salesman is checked:MakeModelSalesmanIDLastFirstHondaCivic2SmithJonToyotaCressida3JonesBillNULLNULL1ClarkeStephen
- Car inventory box and Salesman box are both checked If you check both the Car Inventory and the Salesman boxes, Foxfire! looks at each row of table 1, Car Inventory, and compares it to each row of table 2, Salesman. When a match on Salesman ID is found, the information for these two rows is combined and returned. In addition, Foxfire! will return all rows of table 1 (Car Inventory) that do not have a match in table 2 (Salesman) AND, Foxfire! will return all rows of table 2 (Salesman) that do not have a match in table 1 (Car Inventory). Data returned when Car Inventory and Salesman are both checked:SalesmanIDMakeModelLastFirst2HondaCivicSmithJon3ToyotaCressidaJonesBillNULLFordEscortNULLNULL1NULLNULLClarkeStephen
- No boxes are checked If none of the boxes are checked (the default), Foxfire! looks at each row of table 1, Car Inventory, and compares it to each row of table 2, Salesman. When a match on Salesman ID is found, the information for these two rows is combined and the data items you selected are returned.
- Click OK when done.
Note: If you’ve tried expanding your search and you’re still not getting the results you think you should, contact your developer.