# Search for empty codes/properties in Search-mode

**URL:** <https://pug.phocassoftware.com/t/search-for-empty-codes-properties-in-search-mode/1578>\
**Category:** Ask the Community\
**Tags:** howto, search\
**Created:** [May 6, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/t/search-for-empty-codes-properties-in-search-mode/1578 "2020-05-06T15:04:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![hakio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f19dbf/32.png) [@hakio](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/u/hakio)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/t/search-for-empty-codes-properties-in-search-mode/1578/1 "2020-05-06T15:04:10Z")

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So, from time to time I have got some data without a first property - or other property - that I would like to present in a kind of validation list “Fix these empty values”-favorite list, that can be shared with relevant people.

I have not yet figured out how to create a search that finds empty values directly.  
Empty search string like ‘’ is not allowed in the value-field. If so, selecting a “Not Equal To” = ‘’ would do the trick.  
I’ve tried all sorts of tricks, like wildchar inputs using ? and such. Negating ones as well.  
I can filter AWAY my empty ones, using fx “Greater Than” 1 or “Not Equal To” ?

But i need it the other way around, to have those that are empty on a list.  
I do know, I can just make a calculated new column in the designer, and do it using SQL syntax (like a CASE statement), but would love to be able to do it in the Phocas UI directly. Also so customer can do it themselves easily.

Anyone had same problems, or even a solution. Maybe I didn’t think of them all…

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**Author:** ![nyphocas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/76d3ee/32.png) [@nyphocas](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/u/nyphocas)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 12:23pm UTC](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/t/search-for-empty-codes-properties-in-search-mode/1578/2 "2020-05-11T12:23:12Z")

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@hakio, your best option would be to replace the empty values with a character of your choice (say ###) directly from your extract or with a transformed column in Designer. This way, they will be easily spotted/searched in your database.

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**Author:** ![hakio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f19dbf/32.png) [@hakio](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/u/hakio)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 1:12pm UTC](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/t/search-for-empty-codes-properties-in-search-mode/1578/3 "2020-05-11T13:12:17Z")

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@nyphocas, true that is one way to get around it - thanks.  
Still I would love to be able to do it in the Phocas grid/UI directly, and not rely on fiddling around on extraction-level, but I think that’s actually the best way forward at the moment!