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When creating a new field, (Modify File Attributes [DIMODIFY] option), press the Enter key at the "IS THIS FIELD MULTIPLE" window. If you are a developer, you are asked in a "popup" window for the global subscript and ^-piece position to specify where in each file entry to store the data element being defined. For example, if you were creating a field that you wanted to be stored in the first ^-piece position of the global subscript DEMOG for every entry, you would enter the following:
To aid in the process, VA FileMan prompts you with the highest subscript previously used for the file, and then, when the subscript has been entered, it prompts the ^-piece position one past the highest previously assigned for that subscript. VA FileMan allows up to 4094 characters of data and data dictionary construction storage capacity in any single Global node and that no two fields are assigned to the same subscript and ^-piece position.
NOTE: At the bottom of the screen, a list of the Global subscripts already in use is displayed.
22.2Traditionally, VA FileMan limited the
calculated length of a data storage node to 245 characters. This was in
accordance with the MUMPS Portability Standard. A developer can now increase
this limitation by setting the global node
^DD("STRING_LIMIT") to a higher number. This enables
easy storage of data that is intrinsically lengthy. Be aware that any system
to which such data is exported must also be capable of storing longer MUMPS
strings.
Reviewed/Updated: May 2026