Different search behavior depending on the set parts database
The search in the Insert center and in the parts management behaves differently for internal EPLAN databases (for example EPLAN parts databases in alk format) than for SQL parts databases. This is, for example, also due to the fact that the search is not carried out locally but on the SQL Server when SQL parts databases are used.
The following differences occur:
- During the search in EPLAN databases the search term is searched for in the set dialog language, whereas all languages are searched during the search on an SQL Server.
- During the search in EPLAN databases, a search term is also found in the middle of the word or at the end of a word. During the search in SQL parts databases a search term is only found at the beginning of a word. The search for "Bus" in an EPLAN parts database finds both the text "Bus" and "Interbus". With an SQL parts database only "Bus" is found with the same search term.
- SQL Server optionally supports a full-text search or a direct search for the data. The speed of the direct search depends directly on the number of CPU cores on the SQL Server.
Operators and placeholder characters
Logic operators (AND / OR operation) and placeholders (such as * or ?) are supported during the search.
You should not use placeholder characters (such as "*" or "?") for the full-text search on an SQL Server since these are not reported during such a search. These restrictions are caused by the search mechanisms of the databases used.
Character |
Usage |
---|---|
Blank |
AND operation |
| |
OR operation |
- |
NOT operation (negated search) |
* |
Any number of characters. Is not supported for the full-text search on an SQL Server. |
? |
Single character. Is not supported for the full-text search on an SQL Server. |
In addition you can search for exact characters by entering a search term in quotation marks ("search term"). No differentiation is made during the search between upper-/lower-case letters.
Search in the Insert Center
With the Find field the insert center provides the possibility of a search which covers all object types. A search filter is available, if you want to limit the search to a specific object type. Activate this filter by clicking the button which is located in front of the search field. The button then opens a menu with corresponding Search in <...> options for all object types.
Considered properties and objects
The following properties are considered when searching within symbols:
- Symbol name (ID 16000)
- Symbol description (ID 16011)
- Function definition (ID 20026)
- Function definition: Description (ID 20117)
The following part properties are taken into consideration when searching within devices:
- Part number (ID 22001)
- Type number (ID 22002)
- Order number (ID 22003)
- Part: Designation 1 (ID 22004)
- Part: Designation 2 (ID 22005)
- Part: Designation 3 (ID 22006)
- Manufacturer (ID 22007)
- Supplier (ID 22008)
- Description (ID 22009)
- Technical characteristics (ID 22017)
- Attributes (ID 22051)
- ERP number (ID 22056)
- Manufacturer name (ID 22222)
- Supplier name (ID 22223)
The following properties are taken into consideration when searching within Window macros / symbol macros:
- Macro: File name (ID 23001)
- Macro: Description (ID 23004)
If the search is to be carried out across properties other than those listed, click the [...] button and specify in the subsequent dialog which properties are to be taken into consideration during the search by means of a scheme.
If tags were defined you can also search in the Insert center for objects for which a tag was assigned. The search term t:<Tag-Name>, for example t:Motor for this purpose.
Search results
After the completed search, the entry Home > Search results is shown in the breadcrumb trail. The search result is displayed - sorted by object types - below the breadcrumb trail in the form of drop-down folders. The number of search hits determined per object type is indicated by the numbers next to the folders. After expanding the respective folder, the determined objects are displayed as tiles for preview. You can use drag & drop to insert the desired objects from the preview of the search result directly into the schematic or layout space.
The search result is also retained after switching to the start view of the insert center and can be called up from there via the Search results folder. This folder is not displayed anymore as soon as you delete the search term.
Note:
The determined search result depends on whether a project page or a layout space is opened.
Targeted search in the Insert center via the keyboard
By pressing specific keys, the flyout of the Insert center can be shown, whereby the cursor is placed immediately in the Find field. After the completed search the folder of the object type fitting the shortcut key is opened immediately and the found objects are displayed as tiles in the preview.
Key combination |
Object type |
---|---|
[Ins] |
Symbols |
[Alt] + [Ins] |
Devices |
[M], [Ctrl] + [Ins] |
Window macros / symbol macros |
See also