Placing Text in Empty Fields

Placing text (for example, default values or #MI) within the empty fields of a column requires three steps:

  1. Place temporary strings in empty fields.

  2. Within fields that contain only temporary strings, replace the temporary strings with preferred values.

  3. Within fields that contain temporary strings and other values, delete the temporary strings.

  To place temporary strings in empty fields:

  1. Open or create a rules file.

  2. Select a column that contains empty fields.

  3. Select Field, then Create using text.

  4. In Text in field, enter a string, such as temp, that cannot be a true column value.

  5. Select the field that contains the temporary string and the empty fields.

  6. Select Field, then Join, and click OK.

    The empty fields contain the temporary string.

  Within fields that contain only temporary strings, to replace temporary strings with preferred values:

  1. Select the joined column that contains the temporary strings, and select Field, then Properties.

  2. Select the Global Properties tab.

  3. In Replace, enter the temporary string.

  4. In With, enter the preferred value, for example, #MI.

  5. Select Match whole word and Replace all occurrences, and click OK.

  Within fields that contain temporary strings and other values, to delete temporary strings:

  1. Select the joined column that contains temporary strings, and select Field, then Properties.

  2. Select the Global Properties tab.

  3. In Replace, enter the temporary string.

  4. In With, enter nothing.

  5. Select Replace all occurrences, clear Match whole word, and click OK.

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