# wildmatch - script and chart function

The wildmatch function compares the first parameter with all the following ones and returns the number of expression that matches. It permits the use of wildcard characters ( \* and ?) in the comparison strings. The comparison is case insensitive and insensitive to the Japanese Hiragana and Katakana character systems.

Syntax:

wildmatch( str, expr1 [ , expr2,...exprN ])

Tip noteIf you want to use comparison without wildcards, use the match or mixmatch functions. match has the best performance of the 3 functions.

Examples and results:

Examples and results

| Example | Result |
| --- | --- |
| `wildmatch(<br>M, 'ja*','fe?','mar')` | returns 1<br>if M = January<br><br>returns 2<br>if M = fex |

## Learn more

* [match - script and chart function](https://help.qlik.com/en-US/qlikview/September2026/Subsystems/Client/Content/QV_QlikView/Scripting/ConditionalFunctions/match.htm)
* [mixmatch - script and chart function](https://help.qlik.com/en-US/qlikview/September2026/Subsystems/Client/Content/QV_QlikView/Scripting/ConditionalFunctions/mixmatch.htm)