If you decided to convert the format of a file that contained 200000 individual records by using the search and replace functions should you use an application like MS Word Why or why not?

Answer 1

You could use it, but you have to be very careful when using Search and Replace. It is possible to inadvertently replace something that you do not mean to replace. You may replace what you need, but elsewhere in the document there may be data that is similar and it may be replaced too, though you did not want that to happen. You may not even realise that that extra data has been changed. With such a large amount of data as 200000 records, there is a possibility that something gets replaced that you did not intend to replace.

It is important to know why you are changing the data. Do you need it for a database for example? It may be possible to do the changes in the other application instead of Word. Sometimes you may be able to do it more securely and efficiently in a database than in a word processor, as the data will be more structured. It can also be easier to find what will be replaced before actually replacing it.

If you are very sure of what you are doing and what is going to be changed, then a Search and Replace may work well. Every situation is different, so it may be good in one instance but not in another.