Substring Search !

Eddny

New Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2018
Messages
26
Hello!

So let's say I have:

Dim MainString as string, Substring as string
Dim Result as Boolean

MainString ="ABCDE|ABCDF|CGHMN|QRSTU|CJKLM"

Question: Is there an easier (faster) way to check whether MainString contains all elements of Substring without using loops?

Example 1: If Substring ="QRSTU|ABCDE|CGHMN" then Result = True since all elements of Substring are found in MainString.

Example 2: If Substring ="ABCDF|QRSTU|HPXYZ" then Result = False since not all elements of Substring are found in MainString.

Is there a way to perform these checks to see whether all the elements in Substring exist in MainString without using loops? I have thought about the Instr function, the Like operator, etc, However, it appears in each case I will have to use a loop.
Any help would be appreciated.

Eddny
 
Last edited:

Excel Facts

Bring active cell back into view
Start at A1 and select to A9999 while writing a formula, you can't see A1 anymore. Press Ctrl+Backspace to bring active cell into view.
Whats the problem with the loop?? As you are going to have to split your substring up then you have to use one.
 
Upvote 0
Whats the problem with the loop?? As you are going to have to split your substring up then you have to use one.

Steve - Yeah, thanks! I tried the loop route (where I first use Split() on the sub-string and loop to check each element's existence in MainString using Instr(). It works ok but need something faster, if possible. Have to do this repeatedly for a huge data set.

I was also wondering if there was a way to use the Like operator in a single-step check with some combination of a wildcard "*" search.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Not as i can see. You will have no choice but to split the substring but then you need to test each part hence need for a loop. The loop wont be slow by the way.
 
Upvote 0
See if this non-looping method works for you.
Code:
Sub CheckAllSubstrings()
  Dim MainString As String, Substring As String
  Dim Result As Boolean
  Dim RX As Object

  MainString = "ABCDE|ABCDF|CGHMN|QRSTU|CJKLM"
  Substring = "QRSTU|ABCDE|CGHMN"
  Set RX = CreateObject("VBScript.RegExp")
  RX.Global = True
  RX.Pattern = MainString
  Result = Replace(RX.Replace(Substring, ""), "|", "") = vbNullString
End Sub
 
Upvote 0
Ive never used those expressions much. I presume looking at that it understands that the pipe is a seperator?
 
Upvote 0
Ive never used those expressions much. I presume looking at that it understands that the pipe is a seperator?
If that question is directed to me, then in a regular expression "pattern" line, a pipe acts as "or".
 
Upvote 0
See if this non-looping method works for you.
Code:
Sub CheckAllSubstrings()
  Dim MainString As String, Substring As String
  Dim Result As Boolean
  Dim RX As Object

  MainString = "ABCDE|ABCDF|CGHMN|QRSTU|CJKLM"
  Substring = "QRSTU|ABCDE|CGHMN"
  Set RX = CreateObject("VBScript.RegExp")
  RX.Global = True
  RX.Pattern = MainString
  Result = Replace(RX.Replace(Substring, ""), "|", "") = vbNullString
End Sub

Peter - I don't have experience with regex but will try your code and let you know. I hope I don't have to activate anything else before using it. Thanks!
 
Upvote 0
Ive never used those expressions much. I presume looking at that it understands that the pipe is a seperator?

Steve - If your question was for me regarding the original post then, yes, the pipe "|" is being used as a delimiter or separator in my strings.

Thanks!
 
Upvote 0
... will try your code and let you know.
I did assume that all sections of your substrings are 5 characters, like your samples. If that is not the case and/or there are other differences (eg upper/lower case or different delimiters) then more information and examples would help.
 
Upvote 0

Forum statistics

Threads
1,213,527
Messages
6,114,148
Members
448,552
Latest member
WORKINGWITHNOLEADER

We've detected that you are using an adblocker.

We have a great community of people providing Excel help here, but the hosting costs are enormous. You can help keep this site running by allowing ads on MrExcel.com.
Allow Ads at MrExcel

Which adblocker are you using?

Disable AdBlock

Follow these easy steps to disable AdBlock

1)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the "Pause on this site" option.
Go back

Disable AdBlock Plus

Follow these easy steps to disable AdBlock Plus

1)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the toggle to disable it for "mrexcel.com".
Go back

Disable uBlock Origin

Follow these easy steps to disable uBlock Origin

1)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the "Power" button.
3)Click on the "Refresh" button.
Go back

Disable uBlock

Follow these easy steps to disable uBlock

1)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the "Power" button.
3)Click on the "Refresh" button.
Go back
Back
Top