QUERIES

The Query is one of the most powerful functions in the FSPC program.  A query by definition is a question.  How you ask the question will determine how precisely you get the answer.  To get to the Query Builder, click on the Edit menu and select Queries.

First let us take a look at this window.

The Query button in the top left brings up a list of all the queries contained in the FSPC program.  Just like on the Members Information screen, the arrows to the right of the name advance the query to the next one in the list.  If you want to add a new query to the list, click on the Add button.  Likewise, if you want to delete a query from the list, click the Delete button after having selected the query you want deleted.

Checking on the Include as Member Group will add the query to the Group list in the Member Information screen.  If the query is locked, it cannot be deleted.  If the fields are locked, the fields cannot be changed.

The Data Source is where the information for the fields is taken.  Most of the information will probably be taken from Members, but there are other Data Sources that can be selected.

Queries ask a question, so how you phrase it is very important.  If we were going to create a query that contains the members that have the type of ASSOCIATE and are 1^st or 2^nd degree members.

 To accomplish this, first click on the Add button and type in a name for the query, “1^st & 2^nd Degree Associate.”  Next click on Field 1 and choose TYPE from the list.  Click on the drop-down arrow under the Operator heading and choose Equal To from the top of the list that appears.  The Enter Character Value window will now appear – click on the Choices button and select ASSOCIATE from the list.  **(The query values are case sensitive.  This means that you have to enter the value EXACTLY as it is in the field you are looking at.  If for instance you enter the value as ‘Associate’, the system will not find any members because there is no one that should have that Type, since the letters are not all in capitals.)

 Field 2 should be Degree, the operator should be set to Equal To.  In the Enter Character Value window, click on Choices and select 1^st.  Click OK and then click on the Add Another button.  Click on Choices again and choose 2^nd.  Click OK twice.  The query is now set to include members who are Associate and are either 1^st degree or 2^nd degree. 

The Count box displays the number of members this query includes.  By clicking on the Browse Group box you can look at the members in the group.

 4/23/02