The ‘Maximum matches’ figure allows you to limit the number of matches per record in your search file. Therefore, if there are many duplicates in your database or multiple matches are found for your given criteria, you can limit the number of results returned in the Output file.

If the ‘Do not compare blank values in the file’ tick box is ticked then the lookup will not attempt to compare a blank value in the file with a value on the record. If it is ticked then any blank value in the file will only be a match if there is also a blank value on the record. For example, when the tick box is ticked, if no first line of the address is given in the file then for there to be a match the address block should also blank. However if it is not ticked then the record will match no matter what the value is in the address block, blank or otherwise. This knowledgebase article may be helpful.

The collation is the way in which the database treats text. The entries consist of alphabet types and methods of comparison and sorting. In the majority of cases the default collation will suffice (it will search the same way as The Raiser’s Edge searches). However by selecting one of the alternatives it is possible to make the search case sensitive or accent insensitive. For more information, speak to your organisation’s network or database administrator.

The final function in this section is ‘Filter’. This allows you to filter the search within your database to a query of constituents, specific Constituent codes and/or Constituent attributes. If you click on the ‘Filter’ button the following screen will appear:

You can select a query of constituents that will filter the results. Only the results appearing in the query will be matched against the criteria.

Here, you have access to your full table of Constituent Code entries and Constituent Attribute entries. Using the arrows you can select as many or as few as you wish to filter on. When you have selected the appropriate filters, click on ‘OK’

When the criteria set has been created press ‘OK’ to add it to the list of criteria sets to be used for this lookup.