Search for special characters

[davej311]

I need a query that returns records that contain 'special' characters e.g. <> *# etc.

I've sorted most of them but I'm stuck on how to search for single & double quote marks, i.e. ' & "

In addition to that, i'm searching for < & >, but i want to exclude strings that look like <xyz> for example.

Any pointers please?

If it helps, this is what I'm using so far..
Like "*[<]*" Or Like "*[>]*" Or Like "*[#]*" Or Like "*[%]*" Or Like "*[;]*" Or Like "*[:]*" Or Like "*/*" Or Like "*[?]*" Or Like "*[.]*" Or Like "*[@]*" Or Like "*$*" Or Like "*{*" Or Like "*}*" Or Like "*|*" Or Like "*^*" Or Like "*[[]*" Or Like "*[]]*" Or Like "*[=]*" Or Like "*[&]*" Or Like "*[+]*" Or Like "*]*"

[orange]

Identify exactly what "special characters" are important to you.
You can define double and single quotes using
Dim dblQuote as String
dblQuote = """"
Dim snglQuote as string
snglQuote ="'"

You can refer to the variable name in your code.

Be very specific on what is included/excluded.
You may want to include " < ", and exclude " <a" (where a is any alphabetic).

You may wish to research "Regular Expressions"

Good luck.

[lfpm062010]

Try:
Like "*[!A-Z0-9]*"

From my search, it should give you anything that is non alphanumeric in your string.
It seems to work for me.

[ssanfu]

Also, see

Validation with Regular Expressions
http://access.mvps.org/access/modules/mdl0063.htm


The example is for US, Canadian and UK postal codes....... you should be able to modify at least some of the code for your purposes..