Global Updates

  • Updated

Applies to: Version 5.0

PastPerfect has a Global Update screen where you can do a Find & Replace and also clear out all data from a field. Before you do any global updates, please make a backup of your data to the hard drive by clicking the "Hard Drive Backup" button on the Main Menu, then click "Backup Data to Hard Drive." This is a precaution, in case you need to reverse the changes you made.

To get to the Global Update screen, click "Utilities" on the Main Menu, then click "Global Update." On the Find & Replace screen, choose the table you are working in on the left, such as Photos. Then select the field in which you want to make the change, such as "Appraiser."

To change text in that field to different text, such as changing "Bob Smith" to "Smith, Bob":

  1. In the top field on the right that says "Search Appraiser for:" enter the text that is there now, which would be Bob Smith.
  2. Click the "Count Number of Records which Contain this Data" button to make sure you have selected all the fields with this data.
  3. Then in the "Replace with" field, enter the text that you want, which would be Smith, Bob.
  4. Then click the "Start Replacement Now" button. You will be asked if you made a backup, if you did, click "Yes." If you did not, stop and make a backup, then repeat the process.
  5. You will then be asked if you want to replace all instances of "Bob Smith" with "Smith, Bob". If everything looks correct, click "Yes."
  6. Then exit from the Find & Replace screen and take a look at your records.

To remove all the text from the selected field:

  1. Leave the two fields blank for "Search Appraiser for:" and "Replace with."
  2. Check the box under "Replace with" that says "Replace ALL Fields."
  3. Then click the "Start Replacement Now" button. You will be asked if you made a backup, if you did, click "Yes." If you did not, stop and make a backup, then repeat the process.
  4. You will then be asked if you want to remove all entries from the selected field. If you are sure, click "Yes."
  5. Then exit from the Find & Replace screen and take a look at your records