tcbutler.co.uk

For work I recently had to compare two contact databases from different sources to find common entries. We got most of the way comparing postcodes and surnames, but realised that a certain amount of fuzziness was required in the match/ no-match process. Many commercial packages and services offer very ingenious ways to do this, but as usual I started pursuing it of my own accord. I discovered the SOUNDEX function included in many SQL systems, and then the general basis for this, metaphonics; ways of encoding certain sounds with an algorithm to allow words to be compared.

After doing all the usual Google searches I couldn’t find a nice straightforward VBA implementation to stick into my Access database, and after reading a few pages on the subject (will post links when I find them again) realised that for 20 mins work I could save myself searching. So, let me introduce v1 of Metaphonics for VBA; your feedback is welcome.

http://www.tcbutler.co.uk/vba-metaphonics-implementation-v1/

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