Find highest number in column with text based on filter

[JC75]

I have a document library - that has a text column (instNumber) that contains a number that is at least  in format of 3 digits e.g 001 but could be more. E.g 1000. 

the reason it’s a text column rather than number - is it could have either an A or C added at end e.g 001C.

for each document in library they equally have a “instType” column so you could have inst type = A and instNumber=001 but equally instType = B and InstNumber = 001 

i.e the numbering sequence for each instType is sequential for that instType rather than each document just having the next number.

a document may be tagged with number 001 and a new  document would be added that corrects it would be created with instNumber 001C (or 001A).

I want a label in power apps that looks up based on document type selected in app(and some other lookup criteria) that finds the highest number and adds 1 to indicate what next instnumber can be based on existing documents of that type.

using lookup and max functions only works when each document is tagged with InstNumber 001, 002, 003 etc but if my library has 001 002 003 003A 004 004C it would suggest next number is 004 rather than 005.

how do I do this so I can essentially strip the text A or C out based on numbering maybe any length I.e 001 or 1000 or 001a or 1000a?

[RandyHayes]

@JC75 

Consider using the following formula:

With({_items: Sort(Filter(yourDataSource, instType=<appDeterminedType>), Created, Descending)},
    Match(First(_items), MultipleDigits).FullMatch
)

I hope this is helpful for you.

[WarrenBelz]

Hi @JC75 ,

Free-typed and I cannot test it but try this

First(
   Sort(
      AddColumns(
         YourLibraryName,
         "InstNo",
         If(
            Value(instType) > 0,
            Value(instType),
            Value(
               Left(
                  instType,
                  Len(instType) - 1
               )
            )
         )
      ),
      InstNo,
      Descending
   )
).InstNo

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[JC75]

Thanks both for your quick responses and help, I will take a look at both options and report back..

[JC75]

Hi both - can't get either to quite do as required, but maybe due to my explanation.

@RandyHayes The "With"Version doesn't work at all - it seems some syntax error with the formula.

@WarrenBelz  This version semi works. I've changed this formula to...

Text(
    First(
        Sort(
            AddColumns(
                FBInstructions,
                "InstNo",
                If(
                    Units.Value = DataCardValue5.Selected.Value && InstructionType.Value = DataCardValue2.Selected.Value && InstYear.Value = DataCardValue4.Selected.Value,
                    Value(
                        Left(
                            InstNumber,
                            Len(InstNumber) - 1
                        )
                    )
                )
            ),
            InstNo,
            Descending
        )
    ).InstNo + 1,
    "000"
)

Which if my data source for column InstNumber as documents numbered 001, 002, 003, 003C - will show in the label that the next document number for that particular document type should be 004.

However if column InstNumber for that particular document type was 001, 002, 003, 004  (i.e non have a C or A added) it results in the label showing as 001 (rather than 005)

If I change the formula to Value(Right(...

the  last example which with no letter at end  will work but then not work for first where a C or A exists.

there will always be a 001 002 etc but a 001C or 002C could exist also.

E.g

001

001C

002

002C

But in example above for that specific InstType the next number even though 4 actual docs exist is 003. For a different InstType the next number could be 002...

[RandyHayes]

@JC75 

The formula I provided should do what you need.  Can you provide the formula I supplied as you have modified it in your app?  There must be an error in the criteria you entered.

[JC75]

this is what I convert it to 

With({_items: Sort(Filter(FBInstructions, InstructionType.Value=DataCardValue2.Selected.Value, InstNumber, Descending)},
    Match(First(_items), MultipleDigits).FullMatch
)

but results in: (DataCardValue2 is the choice instruction type value. 

[RandyHayes]

@JC75 

Thanks - that is helpful!

I see that I missed a part of the formula.  It should be: 

With({_items: Sort(Filter(FBInstructions, InstructionType.Value=DataCardValue2.Selected.Value), Created, Descending)},
    Match(First(_items).InstNumber, MultipleDigits).FullMatch
)

I have modified the above with the correction and also your app control and column names.

One thing that you changed is that you sorted by the InstNumber.  I would advise against that.  It is text.  It will NOT sort in numeric order.

Example - if  1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 18, 22, 28, 31, 36  are all text, then they will sort like:

                     1, 10, 11, 2, 22, 28, 3, 31, 36, 4, 9, 10

This is not what you want.  If your numbers (text) are sequential, then sorting by the created date in reverse order will give you the largest value.

[WarrenBelz]

Hi @JC75 ,

I cannot see your data or model, but this test is failing if it is not picking up the record

Units.Value = DataCardValue5.Selected.Value && 
InstructionType.Value = DataCardValue2.Selected.Value && 
InstYear.Value = DataCardValue4.Selected.Value

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[JC75]

Ok thanks will look at your modification, my concern with linking to created is that an inst number value may not have been given at time a document is created and it’s allocated later by then , multiple other documents may have been created since that document was created  or they been allocated an instruction number.. so it simply needs to indicate that while 50 documents exist In library that highest instruction number allocated +1 ,for that inst type, is whatever has been set so far.  It could be that of the 50 documents only numbers allocated for that insttype(and some other filters applied) are 001, 001a 002 003 003c so the label should show answer as 004.