Text field and number field

Question:

ID numbers and phone numbers are nominal data rather than interval data (i.e. you cannot do calculation with ID numbers) Can I still use a number field instead of a text field to carry nominal data?

Answer:

Yes and no.

Do not use a number field for ID numbers. If the ID number starts with a "zero" such as "0165," the number field will truncate the "zero" and store it as "165."

Do use a number field to indicate group membership or flag. For example, you can use the values "member" and "non-member" for a text field named "member," and the values "complete" and "incomplete" for a flag such as "completed assignment 1?" However, using text data for these fields have two shortcomings:

• It is harder to summarize the text-based data. On the other hand, if I use "1" and "0" instead, I can sum the total to find out the frequency count of members or the number of people who completed the assignment.

• When the text-based data for membership or flag are displayed in a table, it is difficult for me to see the big picture. Please compare the following two tables. Which one is easier to look at?

It is important to note that a validation rule must be used in a number field. Without a validation rule, a number field can accept text input. You may think that there is no difference between "thirty-six" and "36." However, if a calculation field uses a number field as a criterion for decision-making, the calculation field will treat the number field with text data as empty.

FMP Tips Contents Other computer tips Search Engine Credit/Copyright © Simplified Navigation Table of Contents

Contact Me