Oracle Advanced Search Features

This topic shows you how to use Oracle's Advanced Search features.

 

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Add Fields to a Search

Oracle allows you to search using many different fields, but not all fields are shown in a basic Search page. These steps show how to use Advanced Search features to add fields and specify search criteria. These features are found whenever you see the Advanced button on a Search page.

 

As an example, these steps show the Advanced Search features for an invoice search.

 

Step Action Illustration

1

 On the Home page, click Payables, and click Invoices. The Invoices Dashboard appears.

2

 Click the Task icon and in the Invoices section select Manage Invoices.
 
The Manage Invoices page appears.

3

The Manage Invoices page offers fields most often used in search.

 

To  add fields to this search, click Advanced.

4

 The Manage Invoices: Advanced Search page offers these features:
  • Additional fields may be displayed on the screen.
  • Click Add Fields to view and add search fields.  Click the arrow to scroll through the list.
  • Click the Operator field drop-down  to define constraints on entered values, e.g., Equals, Does not equal, Less than, etc.
  • Click Save to save a custom search.
  • Click Search to see the results.

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List All Available Entries for a Field

In many cases, Oracle Cloud does not include a browse option in its search function. Often, browsing all entries helps you locate an item not found using general search methods. The following tip describes how to use the Does not equal and/or Does not contain operators to list a all entries for a specific search.

 

Note: This search method uses the Does not equal or Does not contain operators  available in a field's drop-down list. If this option is not shown in the list, then the feature isn't available.

 

As an example, the Manage Invoice page's Advanced Search fields are shown.

 

Step Action Illustration

3

From the  Manage Invoices screen.

 

Click Advanced.

Additional fields may display on the screen.

 

The operator fields are shown only in Advanced Search mode.

4

 Example: To search for all unpaid, accounted invoices, those fields are added and values entered.
 
At least one ** field is required.
 
Options: Here are several methods that will get the same results.
  • Invoice Number field: Select Does not equal, and enter a number that does not occur.
  • Invoice Date field: Select Before, and enter today's date.
  • Supplier Name field: Select Does not contain, and enter random letters not found in real data.
  • Click Search.

 

The Search Results list shows all entries.

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Select Field Entries

When a field offers a drop-down list with the arrow displayed on the right, there are several ways to search for the entry you want.

 

Option 1: Type One or More Characters

Oracle fields respond to the characters you type, offering fast selections.

 

Step Action Illustration

 
  • In the field, type one or more characters of the entry, and pause. Oracle lists matching entries under the field.
  • Click to select an entry and complete the field.

 

 

Option 2: Select an Entry in the Drop-Down List

The entries you see in a drop-down list are frequently used entries for that field.

 

Step Action Illustration
 
  • Next to the field, click the drop-down arrow. The drop-down list shows recently used entries.
  • Click to select an entry and complete the field.

 

 

Use the Search and Select Popup to Complete Fields

When a drop-down list displays Search at the bottom of the list, click the word to display a Search and Select popup. This example shows you how all the Search and Select popups in Oracle work.

 

Step Action Illustration

1
  • Next to the field, click the drop-down arrow.
  • Click Search. This displays the Search and Select popup.
 

2
  • In the Value field, type one or more characters of the entry. (Option: You can use the Description field the same way.)
  • Click Search.
  • In the search results list, click to select an entry.
  • Click OK. The Search and Select popup disappears.

3

 The original page appears with the entry prefilled.

 

Use the Search and Select Popup in Scheduled Processes

When a drop-down list offers Search at the bottom of the list, click Search to displays the Search and Select popup. The example below shows how these frequently used popups work throughout Oracle. This example looks at the Search and Select popup in Scheduled Processes.

 

Step Action Illustration

1

 On the Home page, click Tools
 
Click Scheduled Processes.
 
 The Overview page appears.

2

 Click Schedule New Process.
 
The Schedule New Process popup appears.
 

3

Choose one or more of these methods:

4
  • In the Name field, type one or more characters of the entry.
  • Click Search.
  • In the search results list, click to select an entry.
  • Click OK. The Search and Select popup disappears.

5

 The Schedule New Process page reappears showing a description of the process.
 
Verify this is the process you want, and click OK.

6

 Verify the correct process appears in the Name field before completing the fields in the Parameter section.

Updated 1/17/2020 JM