Search cards give users various ways to input search criteria when they use the SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Search tool to search for files, items, and data stored in a vault. Search cards that return file and folder results are also available when users access search within a Windows Explorer dialog box.
The layout of each search card is fully customizable, allowing you to create advanced search cards containing tabs and various fields or simple ones with a single field to search.
When you open a search card in the Card Editor, the card properties pane shows information about the form. If a control has been selected on the card, click somewhere on the card background to show the card properties again.
Search Card Variables
When you add control fields for a user to search in on a search card, you link them to variables. For example to search in the Customer name variable on all file and folder cards that use it, add an edit control to the form and link it to the Customer name variable.
In addition to the usual card variables, when the card type is set to Search Card, you can select from Search variables in the variable list that are designed to search within the vault database for specific criteria. Search variables are indicated by 
. For example, the search variable Name searches the file names of all files added to a vault.
You should use some search variables, such as Checked In Files, in checkbox controls because they control what should be returned in the search result. (A selected checkbox is active and a clear checkbox is inactive). For example, when a checkbox is linked to the search variable Find Folders, if the checkbox is selected, the search includes folders. If clear, it only returns files.
You can examine the Full Search card to learn the function of each search variable, because most search variables are used in it.
Assigned Users
For a search card to be available in the Search tool for a specific user, you must enable the user (or group) in the search card properties.
Assigned search cards are available in:
- The Tools menu of Windows Explorer.
- The Search cards and favorites
flyout control in the Enterprise PDM menu bar.
- The Searches node in the SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Search tool.
Default Search Cards
When a new vault is created, two default search cards are imported: a full search card and a user search card. If Enterprise PDM items are in use, there are three additional default search cards. If you have upgraded from a previous version, or wish to restore the default search card layout, you can re-import the card.
See Importing a Data Card.
The default search card names include the search card type (for example, Search Complete) and end with the language (for example, _gb):
all(Search Complete)_gb.crd