Property conditions

A property search uses the top grid to specify properties, operators, and values. For example a search might specify that SSN is equal to 123-45-6789. "SSN" is the name of a property, "is equal to " is an operator, and 123-45-6789 is the value.

To enter search criteria

  1. If you have not already done so, choose either Stored Search or Search Template from the drop-down list in the toolbar.

    Use a search template when you want to allow the user to see, enter or change search values at runtime.

    Use a stored search to make it easy for a user to just click the name of a search and get search results (like opening a folder) when browsing.

    For a stored search, you must complete all four columns. For a search template, you can leave the Value column blank, provided that the View column is set to Required or Editable. If you supply a value, it becomes the default when running the search.

  2. For each condition (a row in the grid), fill in the cells from left to right. See the help topics for each column (View, Property, Operator, Value).

    If you click in columns out of order, their drop-down lists might be empty because they depend on entries in previous columns. Conversely, columns might be pre-filled. For example, if you start with the Property column, the View column is pre-filled with Editable for search templates and Read Only for stored searches. Make sure that choice is appropriate.

    As you complete a row, a new row is added automatically. In the case of a search template, the row can be completed when you enter a property and operator (if the View column is Required or Editable). You can specify a value that acts as a default or begin the next row, leaving the Value column blank.

  3. Enter conditions in the appropriate order so you can specify the proper relationships (AND or OR) between contiguous rows.

    To add a row above a selected row, click the Insert a Row button. Delete a selected row by clicking the Delete a Row button. At any time you can add a row at the end by clicking in the empty area at the bottom of the grid.

  4. To specify the relationship between contiguous rows, highlight them and click AND or OR buttons. See Condition relationships.