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Using the Wildcard Character (%) for Efficient Searching in VZ

Introduction

VisualZen (VZ) provides administrators with a powerful tool to search for records efficiently using the wildcard character, represented by a percentage symbol (%). This feature is particularly useful for broadening search criteria and finding records with partial or incomplete information. This article outlines how to use the wildcard character for optimal search results in VZ.

Steps to Use the Wildcard Character (%) in Searches

  1. Basic Usage

    • In VZ, the wildcard character (%) can be used in search fields when looking up students, events, and other data records.
    • Entering “J%” in a name field, for example, will return results for all names that start with the letter “J” (e.g., John, Jennifer, Jamie).

  2. Advanced Search Examples

    • Starts with: Typing “M%” in the last name search field will show all students whose last names start with “M.”
    • Contains: Use “%Smith%” to find records that include "Smith" anywhere in the field. This is helpful if you're unsure of the exact beginning or ending of a name or keyword.
    • Ends with: Searching for “%son” will yield results for names ending in “son” (e.g., Johnson, Wilson).

  3. Wildcard Limitations

    • The wildcard (%) cannot replace all search parameters. Some fields may require a minimum of one character to start the search.
    • The wildcard is also case-insensitive, so entering “%a%” will return records with both uppercase and lowercase matches.

  4. Best Practices for Wildcard Searches

    • Keep it Broad for Faster Results: Use fewer characters with the wildcard to yield broader results, and refine your search by adding more letters if needed.
    • Be Mindful of Data Load: For larger data sets, using multiple wildcards (e.g., “%Smi%”) may slow down search performance. Start with the beginning of the name or keyword if possible (e.g., “Smi%”).

Why Use Wildcard Searches?

The wildcard character is especially useful in VZ for finding records when:

  • You have partial or incomplete information about a student or event.
  • You need to conduct broad searches across various records.
  • You want to save time by reducing the number of specific characters you type.

Additional Tips

  • The wildcard can be applied to other data fields, such as student ID numbers
  • Always review your results for accuracy, as wildcard searches can return a large number of records.

Conclusion

The wildcard character (%) is a simple but powerful feature in VZ that enables efficient searching, especially when dealing with large datasets or uncertain information. With the examples and best practices provided, you can make your searches in VZ more flexible and targeted.