Add Global Search Function From Anywhere

[punisher]

Need: I would like to be able to search globally across the Vault from anywhere.

Problem: Currently, the generic search is limited to the folder and subfolders that is selected in the Browser. To search the entire Vault database, the user must back out / scroll up and select the Vault Root. This presents two issues: 

1) The user loses the focus of what they had been browsing. If there was something specific in that view driving the desire to search further, they will no longer be able to see it.

2)To scroll up can be a PITA, especially when a user is 10 folders deep and the browser is well expanded.

Fix: I suggest an additional icon within the Simple Search field that would drive the search across the entire database without having to search from another dialog or navigating away for the current focus. Please refer to my mock-up below.

Selecting the 'lightning' search button returns a Local search as is currently, and selecting the 'star' search button returns a global search.

I forgot to suggest this at AU2022, but Hayes did encourage us all to add out ideas...

I look forward to comments.

[ihayesjr · Accepted solution]

@punisher 

This already exists.

Click the arrow next to the Search field and click Find.

You will get a Find dialog which allows the user to search all of Vault.

[punisher]

@ihayesjr 

Thanks for the fast response. If you are suggesting that I use the query builder, that will not suffice. The time it takes to build a new criteria is unacceptable when we are using search features for everything. It's faster to scroll up and lose focus, but I'd rather do that. 

[punisher]

@ihayesjr 

I just went back and tried your suggestion again to see if there was a nuance that I could live with. It's really about the same speed as scrolling up, I agree. The user does not lose as much focus, so good. However the results appear in another dialog, not arranged by the user defined view styles, and in a small dialog.

I would like everything to behave with the same results-functionality as the simple search field provides, just be able to toggle between local or global searching.

This is not by big wish, and I'd happily take a hit on this in favor of my other wishes. It jsut seeed like a nice option. 🙂 

Cheers.

[ihayesjr · Accepted solution]

@punisher 

• The Find dialog has the Basic search feature in the tabs so you do not need to use the query builder.
• The Find dialog's column can be customized so that you have the same columns as you have in the same view has the regular file grid.
• The Find dialog can be resized so you are not stuck with a small dialog.
• The big advantage of the Find dialog is that you don't lose the search results if you need to see more details on a file or its location (Right-click and click Go to Folder). If you choose to Go to Folder in the search results in the file grid, you lose the search results and have to search again. Losing focus each time.

[punisher]

@ihayesjr 

The last point was a good one. Can't argue that. 

Thanks again. 

Cheers.