A customized Search dialog exists for every subject area. The dialog contains fields identified as being the data attributes most frequently used or needed for finding records in a particular subject area. Only these pre-selected fields are available in searches conducted from the Search dialog. The Query Builder tool allows users to perform searches based on data in other fields.
A Search dialog can be opened by navigating to the desired record type from the Record Management menu. Once in the Working List page, click the Search icon .
Search dialogs have three basic uses in Biotics, depending on the point from which they are opened:
When a Search for... dialog is opened from the main window or a detail window menu or tool bar, it is used for searching for one or more records to be viewed, edited, or added to a Working List.
When a Search for... dialog is opened by selecting clicking the Add icon inside a detail window, it is used for searching for one or more records to be linked to the record being edited. The subject area of the Search dialog that opens is determined by the type of data that is being entered in the field.
During a record copy operation, the Search for... dialog opens to allow the user to search for the record he or she wishes to copy.
Ways to Select Search Criteria
Most Search dialogs contain more than one type of field in which to enter or select criteria:
Radio buttons: If applicable, select the appropriate radio button(s) for your search. Only one radio button in a group box may be selected at a time. In some cases, selection of a radio button enables or disables certain other fields on the window.
Check boxes: If applicable, enter or remove checks in check boxes to select search alternatives (for example, in the Search for Element window, to determine the geographic level of the records returned in the search). Unlike radio buttons, more than one check box may be checked at the same time in the same group box.
Text to search for: Enter any text string (may include numbers). Text searches are case-insensitive. Before searching, the proper Domain values for Comparison must be chosen from the dropdown menu. If you use a wildcard character, you MUST select the wildcard comparison value. Otherwise, the wildcard will be read as literal text. If you choose “Wildcard” but do not enter a wildcard character, the search will treat the text string as an “Exact match.”
Dropdown menus: With the exception of the Comparison options, it is not necessary to select a value from other fields with dropdown options. You may use them as additional search parameters if desired. However, once you select a value from a dropdown menu, you cannot null it out without clearing all the search criteria (“New Search” on File menu). You can only change it to another value.
ID fields: Entries in ID fields must be the entire numeric record ID. Multiple IDs can be entered in the ID Search Box. Results returned are cumulative.
Default Settings
The default search settings for specific Search dialogs are listed in the sections on finding the corresponding type of record. The default settings are used when the Search dialog is opened and when the Clear button is clicked.
When a Search dialog is opened from the main window or detail window for use #1 above, the Search dialog will open with the system defaults settings unless the user has chosen to Re-use criteria for next search, by indicating the corresponding checkbox. Unchecking the box will reset the window to its defaults.
When a Search dialog is opened for use #2 above, the default settings depend on the data field being filled in. For example, the Search for Element dialog may be limited to searching for only taxa or only communities, depending on the context. Search dialogs that open with context-specific default settings generally do not allow the user to override the settings, and the default settings generally override criteria saved with the Re-use criteria for next search checkbox. This protects data integrity by preventing inappropriate record linkages.
When a Search dialog opens during record copy for use #3 above, its default settings will depend on the target record (that is, the record from which the copy operation is being launched). For example, the system will not allow a community characterization record to be copied into a plant characterization record; therefore, the Search dialog automatically limits the search to botanical records. Again, the user cannot override these settings.
Common Features of Search dialogs
The following functions are available in the Search dialogs of all subject areas, except for Find Classification and Find USFS Ecoregion.
Save settings: Indicate the Re-use criteria for next search checkbox to save the search settings, except for context-specific default settings which generally override saved criteria in the search fields to which they apply. Unchecking the box will reset the window to its defaults.
The Clear button resets the window to its defaults.
Select multiple results: The Select All and Clear All buttons allow users to select and deselect all the results returned by a search.
Add results to a Working List: The selected results can be added to an existing Working List or a blank main window by using the Add to List button. The Replace List button will replace the records displayed in the Working List with records selected in the Search Results section of the Search dialog. (Note that these changes are not permanent until the Working List has been saved—see the task Modify a Working List.)
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inside a detail window, it is used for searching for one or more records to be linked to the record being edited. The subject area of the Search dialog that opens is determined by the type of data that is being entered in the field.
will reset the window to its defaults.