Extract data - filter column

[keellsworth]

In the Data Extraction Wizard, on the Refine Data page (5th page), when you right click a column header you get an option to filter the data in that column. It says, "Filter based on the following conditions:" and then provides a dropdown window with options based on the data type (so for a numerical column you choose from greater than, between, etc., and for a text column you choose from equal to, contains, begins with, etc.). So far, so good.

But no matter which option I choose, the criteria can only be selected from a dropdown of the actual values in the column. This is probably not a big deal for numerical columns. For text columns, though, it's basically useless as there's no way to enter a "contains" or "begins with" value - it's a dropdown of the full text of each entry. Am I missing something? Or does this just not work?

[cadffm]

Hi,

also if that won't work, it helps everyone who want to filter <one or more of the listed values>.

Back to your needs: Read&explore dialog top down, the first thing you see will answer your question, OR?

Ignore my post, You ask the right question and I was stupid. But short: It is what it is and you can't change it,

you have to make sure that the value you want to (begins / contains,..) is already one of the listed values.

SORRY, I'm embarrassed

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @keellsworth 

You will have 'limited' sorting and formulas writing capabilities while using the Data Extraction Wizard. It'll be to your advantage to sort and filter your extracted data in Excel.

Do this instead:

1. Continue using the DataExtraction Wizard beyond page 5. Then, at the end of the wizard, save your extracted data to csv format. Give the csv a name and save in your project folder.
2. Open the csv file using Excel. Save this csv.
3. Perform your filter and create your formula, then in Excel, save to xlsx format. Do not overwrite the original csv from step #2, keep it as the Masterfile.
4. Optional: Insert the newly created filtered Table to modelspace.

[R_Tweed]

I don't know that it makes it useless. I see that it has to meet at least one value in the list.  It could be used as a yes, no condition filter or to isolate a group by layer or description where one item has a root value. ex. I want to filter demo , demo-wall, demo-window layers.

The filter condition I used for the example below "contains" (yes) for the text value and where the "layer name" begins with (blue). 

[ChicagoLooper]

@R_Tweed 

That's not a good way to create your filter.

Believe it or not, your are working with data. Yes, it is D-A-T-A, really it is.

Since plain vanilla AutoCAD cannot deal with Data, you'll need to do it in a Non-data way. BTW, when you deal with data, your Cad objects are smart. If no data, then Cad objects are dumb. To deal with data, you'll need to use a more sophisticated version of AutoCAD like either Map3D or Civil3D.  Plain vanilla Cad doesn't understand Data.

Change the column heading with 'Layer' to BLUE.

Then the BLUE column can contain values Yes or No. Or contain True or False. Or contain 0 or 1, where 0=not blue and 1=it's blue. For example, your filter would be, could be, Blue=1, so all instances (all rows) where blue is present would be grouped together and when there's no blue, then those rows in the Table would be ignored. 

 I don't know your data or why you need to differentiate between NO blue and YES it has blue, but you have limited capability when not doing it in Excel. You should disclose your end goal for a more detailed and thorough answer. It might even be you CANNOT accomplish your goal unless you accept Excel to do the filtering.

If you want to get fancy-schmancy, then yes, take it to Excel without hesitating because Excel can perform IF--THEN functions.  

[R_Tweed]

@ChicagoLooper   

My end goal was to answer the OP question and reply to the statement that the text filter "it's basically useless"

it's basically useless as there's no way to enter a "contains" or "begins with" value - it's a dropdown of the full text of each entry. Am I missing something? Or does this just not work?

My post illustrates a use for the "text" filter,  in a very generic way.  I have no idea what the OP wants to extract from their dwg or what they want to filter.  I'm just answering that the text filter can have a purpose.   I don't believe they asked anything about excel or whether they should be using any of the verticals.