Replicate or Blank

Use these functions to copy the same value to all records in a field, or to replicate existing values. Replicate uses the data in the field or a value you specify, while blank deletes all data.

Replicate works differently depending on how you set the overwrite option; when enabled, it copies the value you specify into all records of a field. But you can also replicate existing values, by disabling overwrite. It then only works on blank records, and copies the data from a record into all the following blank records, until another non-blank value is encountered. It then starts copying the new value. (In this case any value you enter in the Start field is only written to the first record.)

To use the combined Replicate and Blank functions, do the following:

  1. On the File tab, in the Edit Data group, select Fields | Increment.

  2. Enter the name of the file you want to work with. Define a filter to selectively control which records will be processed.
  3. Make sure you select the Overwrite data box, even for the blanking operation.
  4. If you want to bypass a number of records, enter the number in the Skip Records fields.
  5. In the column called Field Name, type in the name of the field you want to work with.
  6. From the Function list, select Replicate or Blank.
  7. In the Start field, enter the constant value you want to replicate.
  8. Click OK.