Extracting text from a string.

[Trancedified]

I was finally able to find an API to copy all text from a terminal emulator (legally provided by the software company).


There is a USA Social Security number I would like to extract and disregard all the other text. Once the SSN is narrowed down from all the text, can we assign it to a variable?

I thought a RegEx would do it but probably not. I can't hardcode a social security number (defeats the purpose). Any ideas?

Chris

[RhinoBull]

How about this ???

'if you know SSN position within that text 
'then use Mid() function to assign it to some global/local var
 
Dim strSSN As String
 
strSSN = Mid(strText, intSatr, int End)
 
'you are now ready to use it

[Merri]

Does the security number always start from the same position?

[Trancedified]

Hmm I wish the positioning of the SSN was the same place everytime. So let's say our string variable that copied all the application's text has alot of characters like this:



strTheAppsString = "123 Application Name: Chris Last Name: Chang Tele: %%^$%%^ SSN: 666-66-6666"

Sometimes it would look like this:


strTheAppsString = "123 Application Name: SSN: 666-66-6666" Chris Last Name: Chang Tele: %%^$%%^

Another idea would be to Extract 11 characters after we parse through and if we see "SSN:" in the string, extract 11 #'s.


Thanks for any ideas
Chris

[Merri]

Dim Temp As String, Temps() As String
 
Temps = Split(InputString, "SSN: ")
If UBound(Temps) > 0 Then Temp = Left$(Temps(1), 11)
' Temp should now be either empty or contain the number

[Trancedified]

Merri,

Awesome code! Would you happen to know how to remove the hyphens too while we're on this subject?


Chris

[Merri]

Hyphens? The - character? (English isn't my native)

Temp = Replace$(Left$(Temps(1), 11), "-", vbNullString)
'vbNullString is the same as "", but it is recommended to use vbNullString

[Arc]

Dim TheString As String, TheArray() As String
TheString = "123 Application Name: SSN: 666-66-6666 Chris Last Name: Chang Tele: %%^$%%^"
TheArray = Split(TheString, "SSN: ")
MsgBox Mid(TheArray(1), 1, 11)

[Trancedified]

Merri, Arc:

Both samples work! Thank you for helping me out!


Chris