Searching with the SOLIDWORKS PDM Search Tool

You can use the SOLIDWORKS PDM Search tool to search for files and folders, users, and items.

1. In SOLIDWORKS PDMFile Explorer, do one of the following:
   • Expand the Open Search (SOLIDWORKS PDM menu bar) flyout menu and click Search Tool.

     The Search tool opens with the left pane accessible, so that you can select multiple vaults to search.

   • Click Tools > Search Cards and select the search form to use.

     The Search tool opens with just the search form, results, and preview tabs visible.

2. If you opened the Search window with the left navigational pane visible:
   1. In the lower-left pane, under Search in Vaults, select the vaults to search.
      If you are not logged in to a selected vault, you are prompted to log in when the search is performed.
   2. In the upper-left pane, expand a vault to see the searches and favorites available, and select a search.
   The search opens in the right pane. Most searches contain one or more tabs.
3. For each tab, specify search criteria.
   For help with selecting search criteria for the Complete Search form, see Searching in Data Cards.
4. Click Start search or Search > Start Search.
   The results appear in the center section of the right pane.
5. Use the results list to do any of the following:
   • Select a file and view information about it in the Preview, Data Card, Version, Bill of Materials, Contains, and Where Used tabs at the bottom of the right pane.
   • Double-click a file or folder to open it.
   • Right-click a file or folder to access SOLIDWORKS PDM commands.
6. To save the search as a favorite, click Add to Favorites (Search tool toolbar).
7. To search again with new search criteria, click Clear Search (Search tool toolbar).
8. To close the Search, click Search > Exit.