We changed over our file format from the old Word doc version to the latest docx extension. However, I am not able to use many different file manager’s search functions to search the contents across multiple files anymore. i.e., look for those sections with the word e.g. “safety”. Windows Explorer does have a search feature, but it is extremely showfor some reason. Short of switching all our master and project files back, does anyone have any suggestions on how to carry out such searches?
I use a program called UltraEdit for local searches on the 4specs website - it will scan 1,200 files in about 15 seconds (SSD hard drive) looking for any text and can do replaces.
The .docx format is a compressed file structure and may not be directly searchable.
Ultraedit has a lot of interesting features and searching a zipped file may be one.
http://www.ultraedit.com/
There is a free trial and includes a compare 2 files program.
In Microsoft’s wisdom to make Word appleal to casual users, they made it harder for a lot of long time users to be more productive.
The visible Find command in the Ribbon is only for simple searches. I’m not sure if you tried this, but attached to the right side of the Find command is a little down arrow. That will bring up the traditional search command that you may be looking for.
The real power for searching is in the Wild Cards. but that is still there as well. Microsoft did not leave out anything, but only displayed the items that a casual user might need.
The best search utility is FileLocatorPro. It will search files using DOS, boolean, and other methods. I will search single word and phrases and show the results in context so you can see if you got what you expected. Its speed is unmatched by Microsoft searches when searching entire drives or multiple folders/subfolders.
You can search files in Explorer. In Windows 7, enter the word in the search box at the top right and it will search the directory you’re in. It also will search a drive or all available drives. It searches Word, Excel, txt, and some pdf files, probably others. It doesn’t have the capabilities of utilities mentioned above, but it works well for most purposes.
I use Directory Opus. It basically replaces Explorer and is much more efficient and works much better than Explorer.
The Windows 7 search functionality is dramatically improved over previous versions. Its one of its strengths actually.
@Nathan - i found just the opposite. Am I missing something? In old versions, i could put in a section name and “contains” certain words and edited within a certain time frame. I cannot quickly do this in Windows 7. How do you do it?
Perhaps I mispoke based on my own limited use. I have not used it for complex searches. I typically just do single word or short phrase searches. With this more simple search process, the Win7 search engine is very fast, and sorts the searches by type, much like the Search on iOS devices.
I just did a simple test with a few BOOLEAN operators, and Win7 did not handle them well at all.
Sorry for the misdirect!
In Windows 7, open explorer, click Organize (in the upper left corner). In the drop down click “Folder and Search Options”. Click the search tab and under “What to search” click the radio button for “Always search file names and contents…”
When I issue a spec I transfer it to a folder on my “C” drive so searches are local and do not go to the server. It makes them faster. You need to add the “C” drive folder to your search options. (Control Panel, Indexing Options). When set up properly it works well. But as you can see, MS hides it the best they can.
Thanks for the tip, Don. But that still doesn’t allow a search to be confined to a particular time period as before (current is more general), nor does it allow for partial names (like the last 4 digits of a section) because you can’t separate “name” from “content”. Microsoft has just made searches more frustrating and less effective and efficient.
Use Copernic. http://www.copernic.com
It was a life saver.
I have a free files search utility, Agent Ransack, recently renamed FileLocator Lite. Very useful for more complex searches, including Boolean.
I happened upon this message and could not resist responding. FileLocator Pro is a fabulous search utility. I must use it at least ten times per day. I never need to remember a project number to find the right proposal and project folders. A part of the name or the architect’s name is all that is needed. Plus it searches file content, too, allowing you to find where you specified that “thing” before.