Search

The Search routine searches a file and displays the items found in the Search list.  You can use Search to find a record for maintenance or to find a specific code if you don't already know it.  You can sort the Search list, select a specific record, and set conditions to narrow the results displayed in the Search list.

Directions:

1. Display the window for the type of data you want to search.

2. Start the Search routine.  To see several methods for running Search, click More.

   • Click File from the Menu Bar, and then click Search.
     Keyboard shortcut:  [ALT] [f] [r]

   • Or, click the Search button on the Button Bar.

   • Or, click the magnifying glass icon next to a data field (where available).
     Keyboard shortcut:  [CTRL + f]

   • Or, click the Search button .
     Keyboard shortcut:  [ALT + r]

    

3. If the prompt appears, refresh the Search list.  To see information about the Search prompt, click More.

   The first time you perform a Search during the current session (for a specific type of record), you must confirm that you want to refresh (or build) the Search list.  For subsequent searches of the same type, you will not see the prompt, however you can choose to refresh the Search list at the Search window.

   Refresh Search List?
   	To build the Search list, click OK. Keyboard shortcut:  [ALT + o] or [ENTER] Tip:  You can press [ENTER] instead of the keyboard shortcut, if the button is in focus (outlined).
   	To cancel the Search routine and return to the original window, click Cancel. Keyboard shortcut:  [ALT + c]

4. To see information about using the Search window:

• Basic Search Functions:  To learn about the basics, such as Select and Sort, click More.

  Basic Search Functions
  Function	Description
  Active Field	The Active Field name appears in a raised box in the upper left corner of the Search window. Example:  Tax Account is the ActiveField.   Notes: The Active Field is used by the Search functions for Sort, Select, Properties, and View Record Values. To change the Active Field name, use Sort.
  	Use Select to quickly navigate to a record and then to automatically return the selected record values to the original file maintenance window. Note:  Select only applies to the Active Field currently displayed. To select a record for maintenance, use one of the following methods: To highlight the record you want, enter a full or partial field value in the Select field.  Next click the Select button. Keyboard shortcuts:  [ALT + t] or [ENTER] Example: Or, scroll through the list and double-click anywhere in the record you want. Tip:  To simply highlight the record, single-click.
  Sort	To sort the Search list by a specific field, click the field name at the heading of the appropriate column. To change the sort sequence to ascending or descending: Click the ascending button . Or, click the descending button . Note:  Sorting a field causes it to become the Active Field, which is displayed in the upper left corner of the Search window.
  Print	To print the Search list as it currently appears in the window, click the File menu, and then click Print. Keyboard shortcut:  [ALT] [f] [p]   Caution:  Depending on the size of the file, the report can be quite lengthy.  You can limit the records by setting Search Conditions.
  	You can refresh the Search list to display recent file maintenance changes or to activate new Search Conditions. To rebuild the Search list, click Refresh. Keyboard shortcut:  [ALT + e]
  Exit	To close the Search window, use one of the following methods: Press [ESC]. Or, press the keyboard shortcut [CTRL + x]. Or, click the File menu and then click Exit. Keyboard shortcut:  [ALT] [f] [x] Or, click the Close button for the window.

• Advanced Search Functions:  To learn about additional features, such as choosing the Displayed Fields and setting Search list conditions, click More.

  Advanced Search Functions
  Function	Description
  Displayed Fields	To choose which fields display in the Search list: Click the Fields menu and you will see a list of available fields in the top portion of the menu. Keyboard shortcut:  [ALT] [i] Select or de-select the fields as follows: To display the field in the Search list, click the field name so a check mark appears. To omit a field from the Search list, click the field to clear the check mark. To rebuild the Search list with the new fields, click Set View. Notes: To lock in the displayed fields, use Save Preferences. To reset the displayed fields to the program defaults, click Reset View.
  Save Preferences	To lock in your search settings (for the displayed fields and column size), click the File menu and then click Save Preferences. Keyboard shortcut:  [ALT] [f] [s] Notes: Saved preferences apply only to your user id. Saved preferences endure until the next save, even if you exit and re-enter the module. Saved preferences do not include the Active Field for sorting, moved column locations, or Search conditions. To reset the settings to the program defaults, click Reset View.
  Set View	To activate any changes to the displayed fields and column widths, click the Fields menu, and then click Set View.
  Reset View	To change the displayed fields and column widths to the default program settings, click the Fields menu, and then click Reset View.
  Conditions	For more information about entering criteria to limit the records displayed in the Search list, see Search Conditions. To open the Search Conditions window, click the Options menu, and then click Condition. Keyboard shortcut:  [ALT] [o] [c]
  Resize Columns	To change the width of a column, use one of the following methods: To resize a column to any width, drag the left or right border of the column heading to widen or narrow the column. To automatically resize all columns so that the entire heading and field contents are visible (without truncation of any of the values): Point anywhere in the Search list. Click the right mouse button to display the shortcut menu. Click Set Column Size. Tip:  To lock in the new column sizes, use Save Preferences.
  Move Columns	To move a column, drag the column heading to the left or to the right of another column.
  View Record Values	View Record Values can help identify fields containing invalid data.
  Properties	The Properties command is available on the shortcut menu (mouse right-click) for the window. Note:  This feature is for use by NDS Technical Support.

Note:  For efficiency, NDS Technical Support may direct you to change your Search Build Type setting, which is one of the System Parameters.  Normally, you can leave the setting at the default value.