Wildcard Character in a combo Seach Box

This VB will populate the list box all the records that include ALL search terms in ANY specified fields:

selectquery = "SELECT printermodel, printermake, printerdescription FROM printers WHERE "
selectquery = selectquery & " AND ("
  arr = SPLIT(searchstring, " ")
  FOR i=0 to UBOUND(arr)
    selectquery = selectquery & "((printermodel LIKE '%" & arr(i) & "%') OR (printermake LIKE '%" & arr(i) & "%') OR (printerdescription LIKE '%" & arr(i) & "%')) AND "
    NEXT
selectquery = LEFT(selectquery, LEN(selectquery) - 5)
selectquery = selectquery & ")"

rs.OPEN selectquery
DO WHILE NOT rs.EOF
  response.write "<option>" & rs("printermodel") & "</option>"
rs.moveNext
LOOP

Line 2 needs edited to incude any predefined criteria
for example
  selectquery = selectquery & (quantityinstock > 0) AND ("

or delete it and add the opening "(" to the first line

Which database?
what table definitions?

Example does in vba

assume table is
tblPrinters
PrinterID
Description


dim sFilter() as string
dim sSearch as string
dim sWhere as string
dim i as integer

sSearch = "HP 980 Printer"

sFilter = split(sSearch, " ")

sWhere = ""
for i = 0 to ubound(sFilter)
    if sWhere <> "" then sWhere = sWhere & " OR "
    swhere = swhere & "Description LIKE '*" & sFilter(i) & "*' "
next i

cboPrinters.RowSource = "SELECT PrinterID, Description FROM tblPrinters WHERE " & sWhere

Note, the approach is similar to llessurt in that we both use SPLIT and we have both made assumptions on the tables
I have just given u the VBA alternative to work with MS Access

llessurt, pls do not think I am copying, I know VBA quite well and would of used split anyway as this is the only way to break up a delimited string. My intention was just to give the VBA alternative.

If u tell use what DB/Language and perhaps your printer table definition, that would help us to give u a more correct solution

I am finally getting back to this - sorry for the delay.  

table = tInventory
Combo Box = cboItemDesc
Bound Column in Combo = InventoryId
Only Search Field = txtItemDesc

I think I understand both approaches but I have to admit rockiroads seems to make more sense to me.  However, where do you put all the other code not in the combo box Row Source?  I tried to put it all there and I really did not like it at all.

Ok, how do u want this approached?

At the moment, we set a string called "sSearch"
Then based on what that is, the combo printer list has its rowsource modified accordinly

So I guess you can modify it to use txtItemDesc

Say u have a button called cmdFind, u use this to load the printers

private sub cmdFind_Click

    dim sFilter() as string
    dim sSearch as string
    dim sWhere as string
    dim i as integer

    If IsNull(me.txtItemDesc)=True then
         msgbox "No search string specified"
         exit sub
    End if
    sSearch = txtItemDesc

    sFilter = split(sSearch, " ")

    sWhere = ""
    for i = 0 to ubound(sFilter)
        if sWhere <> "" then sWhere = sWhere & " OR "
        swhere = swhere & "Description LIKE '*" & sFilter(i) & "*' "
    next i

    cboItemDesc.RowSource = "SELECT InventoryID, Description FROM tblInventory WHERE " & sWhere
end sub



What do u mean by

"where do you put all the other code not in the combo box Row Source"

Noiw I am getting confused.  I am looking to use this in a combo/list box and your appear to be talking about a command button.  This seems like two items.  Are you saying I need a text box AND command button that will then populate the list box.  (Simmiliar to IIF)

After looking at this further I understand what you are suggesting.  However, my goal (although it may be unacheivable) is to type into the combo box (like any other search) but have it search for the string anywhere in the text.  

I full understand how to do what you suggest.

It would be easier to do thru a prompt (txtbox/cmdbtn for example)

My understanding was you wanted the combo filtered, but obviously not.

What you are saying is enter any partial text and try find it in the combo. That might be tricky.
u can type letters in but it finds based on first letter only

I am going to try a command button to open a search form in Modal mode that will hopefully take the vaule back to the correct line in the details part of the form.  It appears a combo box is just too difficult

Even though I did not choose to persue either of the offered suggestions it is only fair to reward the efforts.  Thank you to bioth.  Ultimately it was not feasible to put the effort in so I use a seperate modal form to "carry" he value back.