Work with bibliographic constant data records

Edit a constant data record

More than one person at your library can access the online or local constant data file, but only one person at a time can open a constant data record from either file. Other staff at your library cannot access the record until you save or cancel your changes and close the record.

 Caution: If you need to insert blank fields, keep blank subfields, or preserve original fixed field values when you apply constant data, see How to insert blank fields, keep blank subfields, and preserve fixed field values when applying constant data.

Use the following techniques and procedures for editing bibliographic constant data records as for editing bibliographic records (see Edit bibliographic records for more details):

• Text strings
• MARC field Help
• Text editing commands
• Right-click shortcut menu
• Move to next record area
• Change the position of the fixed field or display as variable fields
• Change the fixed field to another MARC format
• Find and replace text
• Edit or insert fields 006, 541, or 583 using guided entry
• Reformat records
• View institution name for symbol in 040
• Open and view multiple record and list windows

Information on saving records and entering LCCNs in records also applies to constant data records.

Delete a constant data record

1. Open a bibliographic constant data record you want to delete from either the online save file or the local save file, or select records in a local bibliographic constant data list.

    Note: For local constant data only, you cannot delete your default record. The client gives you an error message if you try. To delete your default constant data record, first set another record as the default (see Apply bibliographic constant data for the procedure for setting/changing the default record).

    Caution: If you share local constant data with other staff, another staff member can delete your local default record.

2. On the Action menu, click Delete Record, click the Delete Record button (), or press <Ctrl><Alt><D>.
3. Click Yes to confirm or No to keep the record.

Tips for using constant data

• Copying constant data records within a file
  You cannot copy constant data records within the same local file, since each record must have a unique name. To copy a record within the same file, derive a new record from the one you want to copy (Edit > Derive > New Constant Data) and give it a different name.
• Copying or moving constant data to another file
  • If you maintain more than one local bibliographic constant data file, you can copy or move single records from one local file to another.
  • You can also copy or move multiple constant data records selected in a local file list to another local file or to the online constant data file.
  • You cannot move records selected in an online constant data list to a local file.
• Local file size
  When you delete or move records from a local file, file size (number of bytes) does not change.
  
  To remove empty space in a local file, you can compact and/or repair local files after deleting and moving records (File > Local File Manager; click Compact/ Repair).
  
  See Manage local files for more information on moving records and compacting/repairing local files.