Micro Focus Visual COBOL 2.3 Update 2 for Eclipse (Windows) > Programming > Data Access > Data Files > Data File Tools > Using the Data File Editor > Viewing and Filtering Data Files > Filtering a Data File > Filter the Data File

Filter the Data File

The results of a filter include each record that contains data that satisfied the conditions.

From the Data File Tools window, click File > Open, or click (Open File).
The Open dialog box appears.
Navigate to the required data file, then click Open.
The Open Data File dialog box appears.
If you are applying a layout, click Browse to the right of the Structure File (optional) field, then use the Open dialog box to navigate to and select a structure (.dfs) file.
Click Open File.
The file is displayed on its own tab in the main window.
In the Navigation group, click (Filter).
The Filter dialog box appears.

Note: If a message appears warning you that a valid temporary directory does not exist, on the Tools menu, click Preferences, enter a valid directory in the Temporary Directory field, then repeat the last step.

Filters are constructed by adding one or more conditions.
To add a reference condition:
1. Click New Ref.
  The basic filter elements appear.
2. In the Field field, enter the start position and the number of positions on from that in which to filter on within each record; for example, values of 7:3 will filter on positions 7 to 9 within each record, as indicated below:
3. In the Alphanumeric field, click and select the type of text to filter: Text or Numeric.
4. In the Operator field, click and select the required operator.
5. In the Value field, enter the filter value.
6. (Optional) Select Trim to remove any leading or trailing spaces, or leading zeroes from each record before it is filtered.
7. (Optional) Select Case to ensure the filtered content is case sensitive.
To add a field condition:
Note: This type of condition is only available if you are using a layout.
1. Click New Field.
  The basic filter elements appear.
2. In the Field field, click and select the field on which to filter.
  Note: Group fields are not available to select.
  
  The Alphanumeric field is updated based on the type of field selected.
3. In the Operator field, click and select the required operator.
4. In the Value field, enter the filter value.
5. (Optional) Select Trim to remove any leading or trailing spaces, or leading zeroes from each record before it is filtered.
6. (Optional) Select Case Sensitive to ensure the filtered content is case sensitive.
By default, a record must match all specified conditions to be included in the results.
To base the results on a record matching any of the conditions, click Match one.

Tip: To remove a condition from the filter, click Delete Condition to the right of the required condition.
Click Filter.
The results appear.
You can toggle between the results and the original file by clicking in the Records field and select All or Filtered.