Search

You can get to the Search dialog box by clicking the Search button, either on the main menu or at the bottom of the list views. For both reports and resources, the Search dialog has three tabs: one for searching for records based on their attributes; one where you can enter a list of known identifiers (report numbers, primary numbers, trinomials); and one where you can load a previously saved selection file. You can use these different search types separately, or in combination with each other.

Search by Attributes

The Search by Attributes function allows you to search on any field in the database, and create or modify a selection set based on the criteria you specify. You can also chain searches together to create a selection set based on multiple criteria.

To perform a basic search on attributes: First, in the 'Search Type' box, specify how you want selections to be handled. If you don't have any selections, your only option will be to create a new selection set. However, if you have an existing set of selections, you have several other options. The complete list is as follows:

• Create a new selection set -- any existing selections will be cleared, and your search results will be saved as a new set of selections.

• Add to current selections -- your current selections will be retained, and the new search results will be added to them.

• Refine the current selections -- your existing selections will be refined, so that only those meeting the new search criteria are retained. If none of the selected records meets the criteria you specify in the search, your current selections will be retained.

• Remove from the current selections -- your current selections will be refined, with those records meeting the new search criteria removed from the list.

Next, in the "Where" box, select which database field you want to search. Nearly all database fields are searchable. You can also search the metadata fields, for example, you can search on the date a record was created or last edited.

Once you select the field to search, some additional boxes will appear, and these are customized to the type of field you are searching.

• Text fields -- search options include 'Contains', 'Begins with', 'Ends with', and 'Is exactly'. For fields that are chosen from a dropdown menu, the menu choices appropriate to that field are presented in the box in the last row.

• Numeric and date fields -- options include 'Equals', 'Is less than or equal to', 'Is greater than or equal to', and 'Is between'. For the 'Is between' option, you can enter a minimum and maximum value in the boxes on the last row.

• True/false fields (checkboxes) -- the only option is 'Is'. You can choose True or False from the box in the last row.

Finally, enter your search term(s) in the box(es) on the last row, and click Search. A message box will inform you of the search results.

You can chain searches together to create more complex queries. For example, you could search for all historic-period resources in Mono and Inyo counties as follows: 1) create a new selection set of all resources in Inyo County; 2) add to the selection set to include all resources in Mono County; and 3) refine the selection set to include only historic-period sites.

Search by Resource Identifier/Report Number

On the next tab, you can enter a list of known identifiers, for example, a list provided by a client, or that you assembled by inspecting a hard-copy map. When searching by identifier, you may either create a new selection set, or add to your current selections.

For resources, you have the option of entering primary numbers or trinomials. Select which type of identifier you're searching for, then select the county prefix. Then, in the Identifiers box, enter the numeric portion of the identifiers. You can enter as many as you like, but you cannot enter duplicate numbers. If you need to search for resources for more than one county, or you need to search for a mix of primary numbers and trinomials, you simply repeat the search operation, making sure to select 'Add to current selections' so that resources you already searched for remain selected.

For reports, only the main IC report number can be searched. (Other identifier types can be searched using the Search by Attributes tool.) If your IC follows the county-based standard, you will need to select which county you are searching. Then, enter the numeric portion of the identifier in the box at the bottom. As with resources, you can enter as many as needed, but you cannot enter duplicate numbers. Also as with resources, if your list contains multiple counties, you will need to repeat the search for each county, making sure to select the 'Add to current selections' option to retain the reports already selected.

After you click Search, any numbers you entered that have no match in the database will remain in the list window.

Load a Selection File

On the last tab, you can load a selection file, and create or modify a selection set based on it. A selection file is just a specially formatted Excel file that contains a list of resources or reports. You can create a selection file using the Print/Export dialog box, and then later load it back into the database.

As with other types of searches, you can use a selection file to create a new selection, add to your existing ones, refine your current selections, or remove from your current selections.