>I'm trying to do an SQL that searches for whole words only, using the >'%'... >myfield LIKE "% FORD%" OR >myfield LIKE "% FORD %" OR >myfield LIKE "%FORD "...which correctly gets > >FORD MOTORS >DIXON FORD >BIG FORD CO > >but also BUFORD TIRES and CITY OF FORDHAM, which I don't want. > >Any ideas on how to do this? Or a better technique? I've noticed recently that the underscore character doesn't take spaces into account, so

    myfield like "%FORD%" ;
    and not myfield like "%_FORD%" ;
    and not myfield like "%FORD_%"

will allow FORD in any way except as a part of a word (no characters before it, and no characters after). It works (tested). Should be better optimizable than checking for left and right edges of the field.