Difference between In function and Contains function

bryanmason19

Hi All,

I am just looking for some general information on the difference between the In function and the Contain function. I use both frequently and sometimes one will work but not the other. Also, sometimes Contains will return an error stating that it requires 2 or 3 inputs- what exaclty does this mean? 

Thanks

Federica_FF

HI,

the IN functions is in the Operator group and it looks at the entire field. It's the same as using [ = OR ].

Le'ts say you have a field:

[Column 1]

1151

1

2222

2

3456

[Column 1] in (1,2)  is the same as [Column 1] = 1 or [Column 1] = 2
It looks for the number 1 or the number 2

[Column 1]

1151 --> False

1 --> True

2222 -- False

2 --> True

3456 --> False

If you're dealing with numbers. If you're dealing with strings,

[Column 1] in ("1", "2")  is the same as [Column 1] = "1" or [Column 1] = "2"

It looks for the string "1" or "2"

[Column 1]

1151 --> False

1 --> True

2222 -- False

2 --> True

3456 --> False

The contains function is in the String group and can only be used with strings, and it looks at any part of the strings, not the entire string:

Contains([Column 1], "1")
It checks if the character "1" is contained

[Column 1]

1151 --> True

1 --> True

2222 -- False

2 --> False

3456 --> False

Contains([Column 1], "1")  or Contains([Column 1], "2")
It checks if the character "1" or the character "2" is contained

[Column 1]

1151 --> True

1 --> True

2222 -- True

2 --> True

3456 --> False

Contains --> String group --> Only strings, looks for any part of the field

IN --> Operator group --> Both strings and numbers, looks for the entire field