Reference > Searching
Although there are many unique and purpose-specific search options used throughout CISPro Global, the most common workflows (like material view, ordering) use the same tool—the search toolbar. Though the details (such as specific fields or columns) of these searches may vary by search type, they all use the same tool.
The search toolbar operates in either basic or advanced mode. A basic search typically consists of a single row that specifies three criteria: a field to search, a match type, and search text. The advanced mode includes options such as additional search rows (which use the logical operators and, and not, and or), naming and saving a search, and restoring saved searches for repeated use.
A Basic Search Example
A basic material search is performed as follows:
| 1. | On the home page, click the Search link under Materials to open the Material Identity page |
| 2. | From the first search box, select a field to search, such as 'Name' or 'CAS No' |
| 3. | From the second search box, select 'Begins,' 'Exact,' or 'Contains' (these are the Match Types) |
| 4. | In the third search box, type the text to search for, or type the wild card (%) symbol |
| 5. | Click the Search button |
Search Components
Though some of the specifics of searching (such as the field to search) vary by search type, the components of the search toolbar are the same for all. The following table explains each of the search toolbar components.
Search Toolbar Components |
|
|---|---|
Field to Search |
The first search box, comprised of a list of fields, or columns, whose contents can be searched. List contents are determined by the type of search being performed (e.g., on a Material search, options include Name, CAS No, Component Name, and Type). Search is performed on the option selected. |
Match Type |
Determines how the search defines what records match search text. Matching is case insensitive. Begins: Any field whose content begins with search text. Exact: Any field whose content is exactly the same as search text. Contains: Any field in which the search text occurs. |
Search Text |
Text value against which search is performed. |
Remove Row |
Removes a single row from the search, leaving all other rows intact. |
Search |
Executes a search using the criteria specified. |
Clear |
Clears all search criteria, resetting to a blank search. |
Advanced |
A toggle link that hides or displays the Add Row and Save As search options. |
Add Row |
Displays an additional search row, preceded by a logical operator list. |
Logical Operator |
Used for performing exclusive searches, combining multiple search rows, or excluding a subset of records from one or more rows' results. Valid operators are And, Not, and Or, and are evaluated in Not And Or order. |
Save As |
Saves the current search criteria as the name entered in the accompanying text entry box. |
Save As Default |
Saves the search criteria and makes them the default search setting. The default search is loaded when the user first views the search page after logging in (in other cases, the last used search criteria are used). |
Restore |
Loads the saved search that is selected in the accompanying saved searches list box. |
Delete |
Deletes the saved search that is selected in the saved searches list box. |
Advanced Searching
When it's necessary to search on two or more criteria (such as Name|Contains|bromide, and Type|Exact|Chemical on a material search), use multiple search rows in advanced search. Advanced search is toggled on/off with by clicking the Advanced link on the search toolbar.
To Perform a Multi-Row Search
| 1. | On the search toolbar, click Advanced |
| 2. | Click Add Row to add a new search row |
| 3. | Select the appropriate operator, field to match, and match type on the new row |
| 4. | Type the search text |
| 5. | Repeat steps 2-4 for as many additional rows as are necessary |
| 6. | Click Search |
Clicking Search runs a search using the criteria specified. Click Clear on the search toolbar to clear the results list.
Save and Restore
Many users repeat a few specific searches frequently. The Save button allows the user to save a set of search criteria that can be retrieved and used repeatedly. A saved search can only be restored by the user who saved it.
Save a Search
| 1. | Set the search criteria, including additional rows if needed |
| 2. | Type a name in the Save As text box |
| 3. | Click Save As |
Save as Default To save a new or saved search as the default, click Save as Default instead of Save As.
Restore a Search
| 1. | Select a named search from the saved searches drop-down list |
| 2. | Click Restore |
Search Tips
Detailed explanations of some of the search toolbars features and behaviors:
Special Characters There are several special characters that can searches more productive.
Percent Sign % Use the percent sign as a wild card to return all records in a search. For example, performing a material search for Name|Begins|% will display all materials.
Underscore _ The underscore is a substitute for the parenthesis, which, if used, can cause searches to fail. To search for a material whose name begins (+/-, search for _+/- instead.
Logical Operator Evaluation In advanced searches, every row beginning with the second uses one of three logical operators: And, Not (which is displayed on the search toolbar as And Not), and Or. These operators are evaluated in a specific order—Not, then And, then Or—that determines what results will be returned on searches that use them.
For example, the Material search
Name|Begins|a
And|CAS No|Begins|123
Or|Name|Begins|b
And Not|CAS No|Begins|123
Is evaluated as
(materialname begins a and casno begins 123) or
(materialname begins b and (not casno begins 123))
Display and Selection of Search Results Search results are displayed in a column on the left side of the search page. The result that is selected is always highlighted in yellow, and its details are displayed on the data tabs.
Inter-dependency of Search Criteria Options Some search types require additional or non-standard criteria, depending on selections or certain options. For example, when Property is selected as the field to search on a material search, an additional list for selecting property type is displayed. Changing the selection in the list from Property to Type will limit the Match Type list's options to Exact, and replace the Search Text box with a list of material types.
Commonly Used Searches
Following are brief descriptions for the most frequently used searches, not all of which use the search toolbar.
Searching for Materials Performed in Materials View. Has a Materials With Containers checkbox which, when selected, limits results to materials for which there are containers at the site. When it's not selected, results are based on search criteria regardless of inventory.
Searching for Containers Can be accessed from the Home Page, or from the Global menu. With this search, the user selects whether to search for a container using either its barcode ID or its receipt lot number, or by a serial# or asset# (these last two are for equipment only). When a container record is found, the user is taken directly to its Container Information page. (See Container Searches for search instructions.)
On the Home Page, type a barcode in the Barcode text box under Container Search, and click Search.
On the CISPro Global Menu, click the menu icon and select Manage Inventory > Search by Barcode.
Receiving Search Run from the Receive Material link on the home page (or the Manage Inventory > Receive Material option from the Global menu). This is similar to Material search, but the result is a list of links for matching materials. Clicking a link will open the Select Receipt Package Size page for the material.