Build an Advanced Search

An advanced search allows you to find records based on several different criteria, using many fields and operators.

Step Procedure Related Information
Access the New Search Dialog Box
1
Open the Search dialog box:
  • From the Search List, click + New Search. The New Search dialog box displays with the Search Criteria grid.
  • From a lookup list, click Search. The New Search dialog box displays and includes a list of the records related to the lookup. Click the More Search Options link to open the New Search dialog box with the Search Criteria grid.
  • From the Reporting application, click the Reports tab, and click on report row in the Reports grid. The Saved Searches list appears. Click and select Search option from the Saved Searches list. The New Search dialog box displays and includes a list of the records related to the report.
  • From the Reporting application, click the Favorites tab, and select a favorite report in the list to run it.
New Search Dialog Box
Enter Search Criteria
2 Click the Add a Field button to add a new condition (row). Add a Field to a Search
3 Use the Field column to select a field to include in the search. (For example, Project Number or Employee Name.) This multilevel list includes grid, standard, and user-defined fields. Type part of the field name or use the multilevel drop-down list to find a specific field.

For projects only, you can search for a specific project level (project, phase, or task).

Fields in grids are organized under the grid name that appears in bold (for example, Employees). Multilevel grid lists default to display with the first folder expanded. Click if you want to expand another folder to display all available fields within it. To close the lists, click Collapse All.

4

For projects only, an additional field displays where you can specify the level of the project that you want to search (project, phase or task).

5 In the Operator field, select a comparative operator, such as "=" or "Contains".

The operators that display are based on the type of field selected. For example, an employee lookup has an operator for "is me" and a date field has an operator for "is today."

Operators for Advanced Search
6 In the Add Value field, enter the value you want to include as the criteria.
7 Repeat steps 2 through 6 to add conditions to the search.
Enter Advanced Criteria
8 Click Advanced Settings to access additional options for building a custom search. Advanced Search Settings
9

Select multiple grid rows to create groups of conditions. Click the Select a Field checkbox next to each row that you want to include.

This enables you to embed conditions and create different levels of the search.

10 Click the Group Fields button.

When a group is created, there is a visual indicator to show that conditions are grouped. You can nest groupings so there are groups contained within another group. The groups use different colors for nested conditions, with a maximum of 6. The Group Fields action is disabled unless you have at least two conditions selected.

Group Conditions

Ungroup Search Conditions

Example: Group Conditions for Project Search

11 To reorder the conditions, click on a grid row to move the condition up or down in the search. The rows must be contiguous for the grouping to execute correctly because the order dictates the sequence of operations for the conditions (ANDs and ORs). Change Order of Search Conditions
Preview the Search Results
12 If you do not see a list of matching results, click the Show Preview: toggle to display the search results:
  • The Search Results Grid displays a list of all records matching your search criteria. These records also display when you use the Select Searches List on the main form for a hub record or in the Records or Saved Searches list on the Reports tab or form for a specific report.
  • Some searches have a link to show the number of results. The Show # of Results field displays the total record count for the Results grid. This number is dynamic based on the criteria in the search.
Preview the Search Results
13

To refine search result records in a search:

  • On the Search Results list, click the Apply All button to include all search result records that match the search criteria. Although all the record check boxes appear unchecked, all the records are included in the search.
  • To select a subset of records, click the check box for each record that you want included in the search. Click Apply Selected (#) to include only the selected records that match the search criteria. Unchecked records will not appear in the record selection lists of the Hub or application associated with the records.

All records applied to the search are also available for export to a .CSV file.

Refine the Search Results
14 Click at the top right of the Search Results grid to expand the grid to full screen, allowing you to more easily view long lists of search results. Maximize the Search Results Preview
15 Click at the top right of the Search Results grid to export either all or a subset of search results to a .CSV file.

All records applied to the search are also available for export to a .CSV file. If you want to include or exclude other records, you must select a new subset of records and apply them to the search.

Export Search Records
16 Click at the top right of the Search Results grid to filter the search results based on the values you select in one or more columns. Filter Search Records
Save a Search
17 On the Actions bar, click Save Options to display the Save Options dialog box. Choose either Save to update an existing search, or Save As New Search to save a new search. Vantagepoint adds the search to the designated folder in the Select Searches list. Save a Search
18 To allow other users access to this search, click in the Save For field.

Depending on your security rights, you can save for everyone (all security roles), your role, or specific security roles. If you do not have security to save for others, you can only save searches for yourself.

19 To add the search to one of the folder directories in the Select Searches list, click in the Add This Search To field. The Folder Options dialog box opens. You can either select an existing folder directory from the list or click +New Folder to create a new folder directory for the search. Organize Searches
Execute a Search
20 Click Apply All or Apply Selected (#) to execute the search, close the search dialog box, and return to the main form of the application. Vantagepoint displays the search records in the Find field of a Hub or application.

Depending on how you accessed the Search dialog box, you may be able to select either a single or multiple record(s) from the search list to return either one record or a subset of records.