Can I force a column to use "Contains" instead of "Is one of" for entries with digitsonly?
When I filter for an entry that contains only digits, the entry will not be found unless I change the filter from "contains" to "is one of". While that filter type is sometimes useful, it's not what I usually need and just makes me go through two extra steps: change the filter type to "is one of", then clicking the checkbox. Doesn't sound like much extra effort until you have to do it over and over. Why can't the "Contains" filter find entries containing only digits? To me, this is an annoying bug.
Answers
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It sounds like you would like to establish a complex filter on a sheet, and to enforce use of that specific filter with your logic. It might be the solution could be a helper column: you could create a checkbox column that has a column formula in it, basically =IF the conditions for an individual row would make it "filterable" to your specific use case, then check the box. You could then establish a filter that looks at this specific-use column and filters to those items when the box is checked.
Alternately, are you able to use a Report with the filter you are trying to establish, and interact with the data via that report specifically?
Whichever route you decide to go, good luck!
If this answer resolves your question, please help the Community by marking it as an accepted answer. I'd also be grateful for your response - "Insightful"or "Awesome" reactions are much appreciated. Thanks!
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Hi Kerry, I don't see it that way at all and I think you are over-complicating the scenario. By way of example, I have a column with a list of serial numbers, and every manufacturer uses a different system, some with just digits, and some with both digits and letters. When I filter that column, if the SN has letters in it, I know I can use "Contains", but if the SN has only digits, "Contains" returns nothing, so I have to switch to "is one of" in order to find it. What I'm asking is why can't "Contains" find entries that only contain digits?
In the same sheet, I have a column of equipment numbers that are all 8 digit numbers. I can't use "Contains" on that column, and that means that I have to switch the filter type and then check a box within that filter, two extra steps that just waste time. It's particularly frustrating when I have to do it over and over for multiple numbers (which I have to look up one at a time).
Bottom line is the inability for "Contains" to find entries with digits only is baffling, and burned me in the past before I knew of this limitation.
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@KGF, @Kerry St. Thomas - I agree - is there an enhancement request for this?
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I am also having this issue while trying to make reports based on room numbers. Unless the room number has letters, it won't be found.
That should be a standard and not an enhancement.
