Searching through all info on Droid

[KurtMD]

I'm a die-hard Palm user from the Handspring days and so far, overall, I love the Droid. Only had it for a month so I'm still learning...

I've searched high and low for an answer to my question and haven't been able to find anything so, please forgive me if this has already been hashed out.

Here's my dilemma: For the life of me, I CANNOT find if there's a way to search and find data on the droid (specifically in my contacts) like I used to do on all my Palm devices. For example, I entered a restaurant in my contacts list a couple weeks ago that I wanted to bring my wife to on a date. Well later, (as usual) I forgot the name of the restaurant but remembered it was in San Francisco. So, I wanted to look for the restaurant by searching using the text "San Francisco", like I used to do on my Palm devices, . NO CHANCE! Or, am I doing something wrong? This was one of the handiest tools (IMHO) on the Palm platform.

Also, I put information in the NOTES section in my contacts in order to aid in my search but, to no avail, I can't find how to make this work on the Droid.

 

[droider4life]

When u open ur contact info try hitting the magnifying glass soft key across the bottom it should pull up contacts as u type each letter.. hope this helps.. I have read on some other threads about searching notes. If I remember correctly u can't do it but I haven't messed with it to know for sure...

 

[Jonny Kansas]

If you used the phone's search to look up that restaurant, you can open the search again (using that magnifyin glass button) and the last few things you searched will be there. This is assuming you sinternet the internet.

Either way, go to Menu>Settings>Search>Searchable content to select what your search will look through. Some examples are contacts and apps. Not sure what you're using for notes, but I us AK Notepad, and it's an option there as well. To get more results, make sure all have green checkmarks!

 

[KZIWarrior]

Do NOT UNDERESTIMATE the voice search... it's ridiculously accurate, fast and amazing. Use it and it will not only search your contacts but Maps (to find something near near) and the internet... It's ridiculous once you get used to it.

Also you don't need to 'open' the contacts first for search to work (even while typing) just start typing and it will show you everything (contacts ect.).

 

[gwilde]

Jonny's suggestion for menu settings will fix your problem. I can search with single words and it will list all areas where it is found even in notes in contacts.

 

[KurtMD]

Jonny's suggestion for menu settings will fix your problem. I can search with single words and it will list all areas where it is found even in notes in contacts.

This search along with the others suggestions posted here, unfortunately, only search through the NAMES (business or otherwise) within the 'Contacts' list. And, although the voice search IS extremely cool and very effective for what it's designed to do, it also does NOT search through ALL data everywhere on the Droid.

Here's a response from 'lowtech' in another section/thread:

I still have a couple of neoprene cases with the Handspring logo on them...!

Search in the Market for Power Search. It solved that problem for me - it's a fine app that works very well!

This is DA BOMB!!!! AND, is EXACTLY what I was looking for!! Those of you who think the standard, voice and magnifying glass SEARCH does the job I'm describing, need to try this APP. You can find ALMOST anything if it resides on your Droid. Seriously - this APP should come standard on the Droid, it's so FREEKIN' useful...

My Droid is now complete!! :icon_ banana:

 

[Mr Steve]

Thanksk for the heads up for Power Search!

It seemed strange to be able to add info to the 'notes' section of the contacts and not be able to search it. Or even something as simple as the company the contact works for.

 

[KurtMD]

Thanksk for the heads up for Power Search!

It seemed strange to be able to add info to the 'notes' section of the contacts and not be able to search it. Or even something as simple as the company the contact works for.

My sentiments exactly, Mr. Steve!! Being a convert from Palm OS (Treo 700P = latest use), I'm used to finding every/anything from a simple contextual search. (i.e. What was the name of that person [who I saved in my contacts] who called about the motorcycle I have for sale in the local paper [I know, archaic]. WAIT!! I DO remember the last four digits of their phone number was 1234) AHA, Try to do a magnifying glass search on your Droid for that!! (Go ahead, search for a phone number, using the last four digits, you KNOW you have in your contact list) You won't get anywhere (productive, at least)!

Alas... Power Search to the rescue!

I've recently installed GDocs Notepad (to add the notes I've had in my MS Outlook Notes folder) and am trying to figure out how to make it search that content also. I see in the preferences 'Phone Applications' section Search OI Notepad, AKNotepad, Notepad but, although they are all checked, none of them are returning data from my GDocs Notepad yet. Hmmm. Any tips from anybody? lowtech, any hints?

 

[Jonny Kansas]

I have a note in AK notepad titled shopping list, and one of the items in the list is undershorts.

Magnifying glass search found nothing, but power search found he note with keywords shopping or under. Thanks for the tip!

As far as not being able to search notes that are checked in the search options, I hear you there.

What option are you using to search with power search? Phone, local, or internet. I found my note by title and then by content using phone in the drop down menu...

 

[KurtMD]

I have a note in AK notepad titled shopping list, and one of the items in the list is undershorts.

Magnifying glass search found nothing, but power search found he note with keywords shopping or under. Thanks for the tip!

As far as not being able to search notes that are checked in the search options, I hear you there.

What option are you using to search with power search? Phone, local, or internet. I found my note by title and then by content using phone in the drop down menu...

Every option is checked except 'Enable Debugging' under the 'General' section.

Does AK Notepad sync (online) like Contacts and the Calandar does? I was apprehensive of this at first with the Droid but, now that I've tried it, I LOVE it!! I can enter data either on the phone or online - REALLY like that flexability - AND, if I ever lose the phone (God forbid) or it breaks - I can still access the data online... That's the option I like with GDocs Notepad (however, can't seem to get it working either) :sad:

 

[Jonny Kansas]

No, AK doesn't sync online. Best you can do is export notes as a text file to he SD card and import them as well. I use it for jotting down random little notes like a list of things I need to buy that day or a part number of dimensions of something when doing home improvement projects, so I don't require online sync.

As for search settings...if you're going to menu, settings, search, searchable items, those settings ONLY apply to he stock search ie the magnifying glass search. I just disabled AK from the items to search and went into power search and was still able to search and find my notes.

I DID notice in the market page for power search though, where it says you can search notepad apps, it says (3) behind that. So maybe Gdocs isn't supported?

Are you using the downloaded app power search? In there, below the text box there's a drop-down menu. Make sure phone is selected.

 

[KurtMD]

Yes, I'm using the downloaded app from the Market. Phone is also the 'Source' under the search box. There's a 'Preferences' button next to 'Phone'. If you click on that it gives you added search location support... That's where I have all items (except 'Enable Debugging') chosen.

I think you're right - GDocs Notepad is proabably not supported. Checking out information about AK Notepad shows that it can sync using MyBackup Pro, which can be setup according to a schedule (along with backing up your Applications, Contacts, Call log, Bookmarks, SMS/MMS, Calendar, Settings, Home Shortcuts, Alarms, Dictionary, Music Playlists, and MORE...) WHEW! Perhaps this would be worth 5 bucks.