List.ColumnMatchesSubString
---------------------------

Finds list entries which contains a given text.

| Component | Version | macOS | Windows | Linux | Server | iOS SDK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [List](component_List.md) | [16.3](newinversion163.md) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |

MBS( "List.ColumnMatchesSubString"; List; Separator; Column; Text { ; Flags; NoReturnEnding } ) 

**MBS**( **"List.ColumnMatchesSubString";** /\* Finds list entries which contains a given text. \*/  
**$List**; /\* The list of texts to search.e.g. "Hello" \*/   
**$Separator**; /\* The separator text.  
Can be multiple characters.  
For tab separated text, pass Char(9). For CSV separated text, pass ";" or ",".e.g. Char(9) \*/   
**$Column**; /\* The index of the column to compare.  
Starts with 0 for first column.e.g. 0 \*/   
**$Text**; /\* The text to find.e.g. "Hello" \*/   
**$Flags**; /\* Optional; Add 4 to reverse operation (NOT).e.g. 0 \*/   
**$NoReturnEnding**) /\* Optional; Pass 1 to have no extra newline character on the end of the returned list. Default is 0 to include one to easily concat lists.e.g. 1 \*/ 

### Parameters

| Parameter | Description | Example | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|
| List | The list of texts to search. | "Hello" |  |
| Separator | The separator text.   Can be multiple characters.   For tab separated text, pass Char(9). For CSV separated text, pass ";" or ",". | Char(9) |  |
| Column | The index of the column to compare.   Starts with 0 for first column. | 0 |  |
| Text | The text to find. | "Hello" |  |
| Flags | Add 4 to reverse operation (NOT). | 0 | Optional |
| NoReturnEnding | Pass 1 to have no extra newline character on the end of the returned list. Default is 0 to include one to easily concat lists. | 1 | Optional      Added in version **16.3**. |

### Result

Returns OK or error.

### Description

Finds list entries which contains a given text.  
We lookup the text in the column given the separator and column index and then apply the comparison there.  
Comparison is case insensitive.  
  
See also [List.MatchesSubString](ListMatchesSubString.md), [List.ColumnMatchesPostfix](ListColumnMatchesPostfix.md) and [List.ColumnMatchesPrefix](ListColumnMatchesPrefix.md) functions.  
### Examples

Find matches in second column:

 MBS ( "List.ColumnMatchesSubString"; "1,Hello¶2,auto¶3,World"; ","; 1; "el" )  
<small>  
Example result: 1,Hello</small>### See also

- [List.ColumnMatchesPostfix](ListColumnMatchesPostfix.md)
- [List.ColumnMatchesPrefix](ListColumnMatchesPrefix.md)
- [List.MatchesSubString](ListMatchesSubString.md)

### Release notes

- **Version 16.3**
    - Added List.ColumnMatchesPostfix, List.ColumnMatchesPrefix and List.ColumnMatchesSubString functions.

### Blog Entries

- [MBS FileMaker Plugin, version 16.3pr3](https://www.mbsplugins.de/archive/2026-06-22/MBS_FileMaker_Plugin_version_1/monkeybreadsoftware_blog_filemaker)

This function checks for a license.

Created 21st June 2026 , last changed 21st June 2026

  
[List.ColumnMatchesPrefix](ListColumnMatchesPrefix.md) - [List.CountValues](ListCountValues.md)

[HTML Version](ListColumnMatchesSubString.shtml)