When a fuzzy database lookup is performed, the number of search criteria provided by a user affects the number of search results differently than with a relational database search. With fuzzy searches, as the number of search criteria increases, so does the number of results. Fuzzy searches use partial matches to return results, and each result is provided in order of its search result confidence. The highest confidence is listed first, and the lowest confidence is listed last. If there are any results with the same confidence, they are listed in the same order that they appear in the database file.

In this simplified example, a user enters "Jane Doe" as a search criteria and the following results and their confidences are returned:

• Jane Doe - 100%

• Jane Smith - 50%

• Jane Jones - 50%

• Jane Martin - 50%

• Alex Doe - 50%

• Brian Doe - 50%

• John Doe - 50%

Using the above example, the search engine is unable to differentiate between the results that have the same confidence, so it is forced to display all results that have a 50% confidence. This is true even if they exceed the specified maximum number of results. This example only returns seven results, but if this database had thousands of Janes or Does, the results would be significantly higher. Because of this behavior, it is possible to configure the results so that they are paged into groups using the Maximum Results Displayed and the Display Results by Step options.

You can set the following properties for a Fuzzy Database Lookup button:

Anchor

To change the anchor settings click the arrow next to the list and click the positions where you want to place the anchor. The property is visible only for elements that are located on the validation form and not for the folder pane on the validation form. The value for this option is set to Top, Left by default.

Database Lookup

Properties for configuring the database lookup.

Data Source Type

Select None, Locator Alternatives, Fuzzy, Associative Search, or Relational databases.

Data Source

Select the data source from the list.

Dialog Caption

Set the caption of the search results window that displays when the database lookup button is clicked.

When you click the button to the right, the Translations window is displayed, where you can define different translations for the caption.

List Caption

Set the label that is displayed at the top of the search results window to provide guidance to Validation users.

When you click the button to the right, the Translations window is displayed, where you can define different translations for the caption.

Search All Columns

When selected, an additional text box is displayed. Any terms entered into this additional text box are searched in he database, but in all columns. Any records that contain a match are displayed, and the match column is highlighted.

Field Mappings

Map the Destination Fields on the validation form with the Sources fields from the data source in the Field Mappings window.

Column Headers

Click on the button to the right to open the Column Headers window so that you can provide column titles and their localizations for your database lookup.

Maximum Results

This option restricts the number of returned search records with unique confidences. If this value is set to 100, and the 100th search result has the same confidence as the 101st and the 2000th result, all 2000 results are returned. The value for this option is set to 10 by default.

Note You can use the Maximum Results Displayed and Display Results by Step options to define how large numbers of the search results are displayed to the user. For example, 100 search results can be displayed in groups of ten.

Display Results by Step

The value for this option is set to FALSE by default.

If a fuzzy database lookup returns a lot results, the best practice is to set this option to TRUE. This means that the search results are displayed stepwise and additional buttons are available to navigate through the returned search results.

The Maximum Results Displayed option defines the number of records shown for each page.

Note Select Next or Previous to show additional search results. Select All to show the entire list at once. Selecting the All option may cause performance issues if you have a large number of search results.

Maximum Results Displayed

This option is used only when the Display Results by Step option is set to TRUE. It defines the number of records that are displayed for each portion. The value for this option is set to 10 by default.

Optimize for Precision

By default, this option is set to TRUE and optimizes the database search for precision and accuracy. As the search can be very time consuming you can set the option to FALSE to optimize the search to be less time consuming as the search is performed less precise.

Instant Search

When set to true, the lookup is performed instantly as you type.

Note This option is not available if you are using Thin Client Validation.

Minimum Search Characters

This value determines the minimum number of characters required before a search can be performed. The value for this option is set to 1 by default.

If Instant Search is enabled, the instant search is not performed in Validation until the user enters this value of characters.

If the user tries a manual search by pressing the Search button in either Validation or Thin Client Validation, the user is informed if they have not met the minimum number of characters required for a search.

Location

The x and y values for the location of a field on the validation form in pixels. You can change the position of the button on the validation by selecting it and dragging it to the desired position.

Name

A default name for the button is automatically provided such as "Button0." You can change the name by editing the text field. This value is used when referencing the button in script.

Right-to-Left

Toggle the direction that text is displayed. Set this property to "TRUE" if you are using a language that is written from right to the left. The value for this option is set to FALSE by default.

Shortcut

A function key (F5 - F12) or any combination of a function key with the Shift or Ctrl key for quick access to the button functionality.

Size

The width and height of a field in pixels. You can change the size of the button on the validation form. Select the button and drag it to the desired position.

Text

Edit the text to change the button caption. For example, "Search".

When you click the button to the right, the Translations window is displayed, where you can define different translations for the caption.