Library Search Improvements
The library search interface has been greatly simplified to allow for quicker and more efficient queries.
The new simplified interface allows you to build simple queries with a few mouse clicks. It searches in the installed libraries for valid parameters and their corresponding values.
Simple search in Components/Footprints/3D Models
You can select an available field and its value from a drop down list.
Simple search in Database Components
You can select a database table, select the field available for the table, then choose the field value to search.
Simple search on path
When searching a library on a specified path, there will be no fields and values pre-populated. You need to type in the field name and value to search. Altium Designer remembers the last 10 search filters used for search on path.
Refine last search
Refine last search allows you to search based on the last search result.
The field and value lists also show available items from your previous search.
Advanced search
Advanced search is for users who are familiar with library search or have SQL query knowledge.
When switch with Simple search to Advanced search, existing Simple search filters are automatically translated to query text in Advanced search editor.
Search scopes
There are four (4) search types:
- Components
- Footprint
- 3D Models
- Database Components
You can search in
- Available(installed) libraries
- Libraries on specified path
- or you can search upon last search result
Note: Search on path and Refine last search are not available for Database component search.
Search field types
Library search supports four type of fields:
- Boolean
- Text
- Number
- Date time
Search operators
Search operators are based on the type of field selected.
Available operators per field type:
Boolean
- equals
- not equal to
Text
- equals
- not equal to
- contains
- does not contain
- starts with
- ends with
Number
- equals
- not equal to
- greater than
- less than
Date Time
- equals
- not equal to
- greater than
- less than
Database quoted identifiers
Quoting is useful when an identifier(table/field) is an SQL keyword or contains spaces or other special characters.
To ensure the database search will function correctly quotes will need be defined.
You can define quotes in the dblib file editor by clicking on the 'Advanced...' button.
Some database quoting examples:
- Microsoft Access: [ and ]
- Microsoft SQL Server: [ and ] or " (ANSI double quotes)
- Oracle: " (ANSI double quotes)
- MySQL: ` (backtick)