Find and Replace Variables (Whole Folder)

The Instant Database is, at its core, a powerful Find and Replace tool. It can be used for any search and replace function you can conceive. For example, if you want to replace a variable (or a bunch of variables) to conform them to a uniform style that you have adopted in the office, try these steps:

•Display the Instant Database screen. (Alt-D)

•In the left column, type the old variable. In the right column, type the new variable. (Use brackets in both columns)

•Click the Power Tools button and then click the ‘Whole Folder Search’ checkbox.

•Click the ‘Next’ button on the main screen. If the currently opened document is in the folder you want to make changes, Pathagoras will confirm that. Otherwise, Pathagoras will ask you to navigate to the folder which contains the documents in which you want to make the changes.

•That’s it.

Read more at this link.

This routine will make folder-wide changes only. Pathagoras cannot (at this time) venture into sub-folders beneath the selected folder. (This will likely change in the near future.) So repeat for sub-folders.

We recommend that you save your replacement list for future changes. You may want to make similar changes in other folders (see above paragraph). Or you can use the list as a guide for future changes.

Before trying this the first time, we recommend that you back up the folder. We don't anticipate problems, but ‘just in case’ .