Breadcrumbs

Mask Facility

The Mask facility allows the user to select data by matching against specific character contents. For example, select a set of returns to print by matching return codes against the mask.

Masking is currently available for the following:

  • Printing return labels

  • Printing returns by range

  • Selecting to transfer Tax Master Notes to Practice Notes by range

  • Listing practice notes

  • Flexi Reports

Special characters that can be used to select groups of codes include the following:

 

Special Character

Meaning when used to match against groups of codes

*

asterisk signifies that 0 or more characters must be in the position

?

question mark signifies that 1 character must be in the position.

-

minus negates the mask and may be used at each mask selection defined or separated by a pipe or tilde.

|

pipe means 'or'

~

tilde means 'and'

 

Examples of the use of a mask:

 

Mask

Meaning

H???i

Match all codes where the first letter is H and fifth letter is i. The three question marks signify one unknown character each.

*I

Match all entries whose code ends in I.
The asterisk signifies an unknown and unlimited number of characters, followed by I (then the rest of the code).

*I*

Match all entries whose code contains an I.
Any characters, then I then any characters.

??

Match all entries whose code is two characters long.
One character, followed by another character (then end of code).

C*|F*

Match all entries whose code starts with C or F.
C followed by anything OR F followed by anything.

-C*

Match all entries whose code does NOT start with C.
NOT C followed by anything.

-F*

Match all entries whose code does NOT start with F.
NOT F followed by anything.

-C*~-F*

Match all entries which start with anything other than F or C.
NOT C followed by anything AND NOT F followed by anything.