![filemaker pro 15 drop-down list is not null filemaker pro 15 drop-down list is not null](https://www.soliantconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Char-function-2.png)
Something to keep in mind with FileMaker Pro: You can express a number field as a Boolean. FileMaker interprets 12ax3 as 123 if you enter it into a numeric field, for example.
![filemaker pro 15 drop-down list is not null filemaker pro 15 drop-down list is not null](https://dbservices.com/assets/article/2018/06/filemaker-17-starter-solutions-1.png)
Number fields can accept text (although not carriage returns), but any text in a numeric field is ignored. FileMaker Pro indexes the first 400 significant digits (numbers, decimal points, or signs) of a number field, ignoring letters and other symbols. Number fields can store values from 10 -400 up to 10 400, and negative values in the same range. For now, simply remember that each field type has different limits and approaches on indexing. We cover indexing in more depth later in the chapter. A text field can store up to 2GB of information, limited by RAM and hard drive space, of course, and indexes up to approximately 100 characters, depending on what language you're using. The only requirement is that it be character based in other words, you can't place a picture in a text field. Users can enter any range of information in them, including carriage returns, and there's no expectation of what form or sort of information a text field will hold. Text fields are the most free-form of the field types. Although FileMaker can convert a text field to a number where necessary, it can apply numeric formatting only to a number field. This allows you to use FileMaker Pro editing and formatting. Use the most specific field type you can.