Typing text into the search box at the top right of the Phocas screen allows you to quickly locate data in a selected dimension. You can search for individual or multiple items.
Search options
There are two options for using the search box. Note that search is not case sensitive.
Type text into search box and 'Enter'
This is the easiest way to search in Phocas. It performs an 'is like' (wildcard) search on all property columns currently displayed on your Phocas grid.
Example: Search for all silver products. Select the 'Product' dimension. Type 'silver' into the search box and Enter.
Phocas will search all visible property columns for products whose Name or Code (for example) start with, contain or end with 'silver' and those products will appear. An asterisk will appear in the 'Product' dimension button.
As a general rule, this method only allows you to search whatever is currently shown on screen. To widen your search, use the search icon 
(see more information below) or you can apply Search mode before using search.
Search a specific property using the search box and icon
This method allows you to be more specific with your search by only searching one property. After selecting the search icon, you choose from a list of properties within the current dimension. An exact match is required, or wildcard characters must be used. This method allows you to search within properties that are not displayed on your Phocas grid.
Example: Search for customers located in Wickham. Select the 'Customer' dimension. Type 'Wickham' in the search box and select the search icon. Choose 'Suburb' from the list.
Only customers in Wickham will appear on the grid and an asterisk will appear in the 'Customer' dimension button to show that a search has been applied.
Search characters
Below are the search, or wildcard, characters that can be used when you are not able to type in an exact match for the item you are searching for.
Name | Description | Example | Result from example |
|---|---|---|---|
Asterisk (*) | Multiple character wild-card search | *steel | Locates products whose names contain any number of characters before the letters 'steel'. For example Mildsteel and Stainless Steel would appear, but Steel Piping would not. Note: The '%' character works the same way as the asterisk and the two can be used interchangeably. |
Question mark (?) | Single character wild-card search | XYZ? | Locates products whose codes begin with 'XYZ' and end with another character. |
Semi-colon (;) | Multiple item search | HA;DA | Locates exactly those two reps whose code is HA and DA. In our example, Harry and Daisy. |
Examples of using search characters
| Search | Meaning | Results |
|---|---|---|
| use* | Find all items that begin with "use" | "Useful", "Use other code", "Use2000" |
| *use | Find all item that end with "use" | "Please Reuse", "LLUUSE" |
| *use* | Find all items that contain "use" | "Useful", "Diffuse lighting", "Do not use, at this time" |
| * use * | Find all items that contain separate instances of the word "use" (note spaces) | "Do not use code" |
Clearing a search
When a dimension has been searched, an 'X' automatically appears to the right of the dimension. Selecting the 'X' will clear the search.
Alternatively, you can Reset to clear the search.
Widen your search
To search beyond what is currently shown on screen, choose search mode before using search.
Using advanced search
If you want to pinpoint very specific data, for example, customers whose sales have declined by more than 5% over the last 3 months, you can switch to advanced search. This is accessed via the search icon 
or the shortcut Alt+S.
After using search, Advanced search rule types will automatically be populated. For example, typing 'Wickhamr' in the search box then Enter will result in the following advanced search rules:
More on advanced search
For information on how to use advanced search, advanced search rule types and examples see Advanced search.