The Fixed Constraints tab allows administrators to limit the filter results a user receives. An administrator can add attributes and attribute values that must match in order for objects to be displayed. When a constraint is added to a filter, objects will only be found if they meet the criteria of the constraint. One or many fixed constraints can be configured for a filter.
To create a fixed constraint:
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Select the Fixed Constraints tab.
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On the Fixed Constraints tab, click Add. The Fixed Constraint Configuration dialog box is displayed.
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If you want to change the attribute you are assigning as a fixed constraint, you can click on the ellipsis button next to the Attribute field and select the attribute you want to use. You can also manually enter the path to the attribute if you already know the path.
Note:
Text, Formatted Text, and Alphanumeric (greater than 256 characters) attributes are not available for selection. In addition, relationship attributes that are related to an external class that uses an ODBC connection or is Unity Script filled class cannot be used.
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Select an Operator from the drop-down menu. The following operators are available: =, <, >, <=, >=, <>, NULL, and NOT NULL. The =, <>, NULL, and NOT NULL operators are the only operators available for alphanumeric, text, and boolean data type attributes. The NULL operator searches for attributes that do not have any value. The NOT NULL operator searches for attributes that have any value. If NULL or NOT NULL is selected, any value in the value field is ignored and listed in the field as a blank string when it is added.
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Enter the Value that the attribute must meet in order for objects to be displayed. Additionally, if an attribute using a data set is selected, a drop-down list containing the values within the data set is available.
Note:
The ~ and % characters are reserved for use with macros. Using them in a string that does not include a macro may produce unexpected results.
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Select the Connector that is appropriate to connect this attribute to the next attribute in the list you will configure to use in the query. And and Or are the options available. The AND/OR operator drop-down list allows you to specify how values are searched using the fixed constraint items. AND is selected by default. If AND is selected, multiple fixed constraints must be met in order for objects to be returned in the filter's results. If OR is selected, one of the fixed constraints items must be met in order for objects to be returned in the filter's results. You can use a combination of the AND and OR operators, coupled with the use of parentheses in order to yield the desired results.
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If you are done configuring the filter, click OK.
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Repeat steps 2 through 7 for all entry attributes you want to add.
In addition, complex fixed constraints can be configured. This can be accomplished by using a combination of parentheses and AND/OR operators to construct complex queries.
Parentheses can be used to group constraint items together. To specify a parenthesis before a constraint item, select the check box before the Attribute column in the Fixed Constraints tab. To specify a parenthesis after a constraint item, select the check box after the Value field.
You can move the constraints up or down in the list by using the Move up and Move down buttons.
To edit a fixed constraint, double-click on the attribute or select it and click Modify.
See the Macros chapter for more information about value options.