Spotlight: search by partial name?
@nnie
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@nnie Posted messages 2124 Registration date Status Member Last intervention -
@nnie Posted messages 2124 Registration date Status Member Last intervention -
Hello everyone,
A very basic question: in Spotlight, how do you search for a partial name?
For example, to search for all file names that contain formation, what should I enter? If I only type formation, it will find all files that start with those letters (formations, formation_AB, etc.), but it won’t find those that have letters before, like déformation, réformation, etc.
I’ve fallen for this several times, running searches that returned nothing even though I knew the files existed, but I had forgotten the full name.
I assume you can use wildcard characters (under Windows it would be *formation*) but I’ve looked everywhere for this info without finding it.
So if someone could help me not look stupid tonight, I’d be grateful in advance!
Configuration: Mac OS X Firefox 3.0.9
A very basic question: in Spotlight, how do you search for a partial name?
For example, to search for all file names that contain formation, what should I enter? If I only type formation, it will find all files that start with those letters (formations, formation_AB, etc.), but it won’t find those that have letters before, like déformation, réformation, etc.
I’ve fallen for this several times, running searches that returned nothing even though I knew the files existed, but I had forgotten the full name.
I assume you can use wildcard characters (under Windows it would be *formation*) but I’ve looked everywhere for this info without finding it.
So if someone could help me not look stupid tonight, I’d be grateful in advance!
Configuration: Mac OS X Firefox 3.0.9
6 answers
it's not normal because he is capable of both "front" and "back" as well
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5546/spotlightz.jpg
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5546/spotlightz.jpg
Oh dear! I had a feeling something wasn’t right... On my end, nothing to do: it goes and scans the files, returns a ton of results, but ignores file names with letters in front of them.
There must be some parameter issue somewhere, because I have an iMac and a MacBook and I get the same problem on both! I can’t find anything about it in Preferences :-(
Thanks Djoel. Does anyone have an idea?
There must be some parameter issue somewhere, because I have an iMac and a MacBook and I get the same problem on both! I can’t find anything about it in Preferences :-(
Thanks Djoel. Does anyone have an idea?
Wait Djoel: I just realized something. Spotlight indeed finds files with something written in front of them, but only to the extent that the search term is whole within the result.
Let me explain: in your example, you did a search for slider, OK? Now, do a search by putting only lider and tell me if it will list again the slider files it found previously? Because on my 2 Macs, that's what it can't do.
To take my example with formation, it will find test_formation, but it will not find déformation. You see?
PS: by the way, I use EasyFind, which, unlike Spotlight, detects everything perfectly, without restriction.
Let me explain: in your example, you did a search for slider, OK? Now, do a search by putting only lider and tell me if it will list again the slider files it found previously? Because on my 2 Macs, that's what it can't do.
To take my example with formation, it will find test_formation, but it will not find déformation. You see?
PS: by the way, I use EasyFind, which, unlike Spotlight, detects everything perfectly, without restriction.
Hello Annie,
It works normally on my end. There’s no need to use jokers.
Try 2 things:
- In Spotlight preferences, move to the top of the list the types of documents that most likely will display the desired result.
- Otherwise, press Command-F, or "Show All" in Spotlight, and in the dedicated Spotlight search window set 2 search criteria (little plus sign to the right of the window):
first search criterion, "Type" is "Any"
second search criterion "Name" + "Contains" and in the name field, type 'formation'
Also indicate where to search, among your different hard drives and/or folders.
I quite like this search mode, because with Leopard’s Quick Look, you can quickly see if the suggested document is indeed the one you’re looking for.
See this example
Best regards
--
Sanspseudo - Francis
iMac-G5 - 2GHz - 2GB - Mac OS 10.5.6
It works normally on my end. There’s no need to use jokers.
Try 2 things:
- In Spotlight preferences, move to the top of the list the types of documents that most likely will display the desired result.
- Otherwise, press Command-F, or "Show All" in Spotlight, and in the dedicated Spotlight search window set 2 search criteria (little plus sign to the right of the window):
first search criterion, "Type" is "Any"
second search criterion "Name" + "Contains" and in the name field, type 'formation'
Also indicate where to search, among your different hard drives and/or folders.
I quite like this search mode, because with Leopard’s Quick Look, you can quickly see if the suggested document is indeed the one you’re looking for.
See this example
Best regards
--
Sanspseudo - Francis
iMac-G5 - 2GHz - 2GB - Mac OS 10.5.6
Hello Francis, thanks for coming to my aid once again!
Regarding Spotlight preferences, I had already addressed them on one of my two Macs, with an identical final result :-(
I am very annoyed, because at home (and thus on my iMac AND on my MacBook), it doesn’t work.
I created test folders to make screenshots of the problem:
1) image taken in Finder to show you the 2 folders created.
2) the result I get when performing a search for 1 word that exists in full in the name 2, but partially in the name 1.
3) for fun (!), the result obtained in a search for a part of the names of the 2 folders.
Could this be an indexing issue? What surprises me the most is having the same on my 2 Macs, so weird, weird!
I’m going to end up believing I’m subscribed to quirky stuff!
Or maybe there is really something I’m missing ...
Best regards :-)
I just created the same folders as you. Spotlight is a bit capricious; it works when only one area is filled in... otherwise, I have the same problem as you. See, for example, this image... http://www.zimagez.com/zimage/image13246.php
Hoping that .. :-)
PS: It seems there can be a conflict between the criteria, and the area above, several different attempts allow to grasp the "logic" of Spotlight
--
Sanspseudo - Francis
iMac-G5 - 2ghz - 2Go - Mac OS 10.5.6
Oh la la! As you say, Spotlight is capricious! Finally, I’m glad to know it isn’t just me: I was thinking someone must have cast a spell on my computers! lol!
Indeed, I tried as you said and it works. It’s still a big disappointment that Spotlight needs us to hold its hand this much to perform such a search, even though it’s much simpler than digging inside everything, as it knows how to do! It’s rather tedious to go through these detours to get the expected result. I’m also surprised to see that there aren’t any “joker” characters to simplify the manipulation, but oh well.
Francis, thanks for enlightening my lantern: tonight I’ll indeed go to bed a little less ignorant! but, as a result, I’ll systematically skip Spotlight in favor of EasyFind, which is a pity…
Have a great weekend to you :-)
Indeed, I tried as you said and it works. It’s still a big disappointment that Spotlight needs us to hold its hand this much to perform such a search, even though it’s much simpler than digging inside everything, as it knows how to do! It’s rather tedious to go through these detours to get the expected result. I’m also surprised to see that there aren’t any “joker” characters to simplify the manipulation, but oh well.
Francis, thanks for enlightening my lantern: tonight I’ll indeed go to bed a little less ignorant! but, as a result, I’ll systematically skip Spotlight in favor of EasyFind, which is a pity…
Have a great weekend to you :-)