Methods and systems for extracting related information from multiple
two-dimensional files are provided. The method includes comparing data
contained in at least one field of each record of a first file to data in
a related field of each record of a second file. A record is created in a
temporary file for each occurrence of a match. The records of the
temporary file contain the data from the matching records of the two
files. Particular data is selected from the records of the temporary file
according to user-specified conditions. The selected data is provided as
output. The temporary file is thereafter deleted. In another embodiment
of the invention, particular data is selected from the original files
prior to inclusion in the temporary file. Associated systems are also
provided.