Using the Advanced Search Pane

You can use the Advanced Search pane to search for your files and folders. You can search by a wide variety of options such as file names, text strings, metadata fields, file properties, or image attributes. You can also search for patterns in file names and find duplicate files.

You can even save a search and give it a name. Search Presets are listed on the Advanced Search pane and the Catalog pane. On the Advanced Search pane, you can select Search Presets from the drop-down list to run again. On the Catalog pane, Search Presets are listed below Auto Categories where you can run them again by clicking once on the Search Preset name.

The Advanced Search pane will not return results for folders that are not cataloged in the ACDSee Professional database. Cataloging happens automatically when you browse to a folder. You can also click Tools | Database | Catalog Files.

To Open the Advanced Search Pane:

In Manage mode, click Panes | Advanced Search.

Advanced Search Pane Areas

The Advanced Search pane contains several areas to help you manage your searches. When you create a search, remember that the search tool will only return files that match all of the criteria that you specify.

Search Presets

In the Search Presets area, you can save a complex search to use later, select a search to run again, or delete a search preset.

Search Presets	If you have a search preset, it is listed in this drop-down list for you to select and run again. When you click Start at the bottom of the pane, the search results are listed in the File List pane. Search Presets are also listed on the Catalog pane, from where you can run them with a single click on the Search Preset name.
Save a search preset	Click the Save icon. When the Search Preset dialog opens, type in a name for the search. If you use a descriptive name, it makes it easier to remember the criteria in your search preset.
Delete a search preset	Select a search from the drop-down list and then click the Delete icon. Click Yes to confirm the deletion, when the prompt opens.

Source

When searching for files, you can search three different source locations:

Database	Searches using the Database source will look for files within the cataloged files in Photo Studio.
Folders	Searches using the Folders source will look for files within a selection of folders. You can select one or more folders to be searched, or simply select Sync to the current folder to use the folders currently selected in the Folders pane.
Current View	Searches using the Current View source will look for files within your currently selected file list in Photo Studio. This can include one or multiple folders, different metadata from the Catalog pane, or even the results of your previous search.

Criteria

You can choose from a wide range of criteria and file types. In the header, use the File Type Selector button to open the menu with different searchable file types.

Press the + button to open the Criteria Picker to display the full list of searchable criteria. Click a criteria on the left side of the picker to add it to the right side. Once on the right side, criteria can be managed by moving them up and down, changing their AND/OR state, or removing them with the delete button. Click the OK button to update the Advanced Search pane with your selected criteria. Most criteria search for a single metadata field, allowing you to fine-tune your searches. Each criterion is divided by buttons displaying the AND/OR state on the Advanced Search pane, clicking the button will change its state between AND & OR.

For more information and examples, see Choosing Criteria in the Advanced Search Pane.

When criteria have been added to the Advanced Search pane, many will include a gear icon. Clicking on the icon will provide additional ways to customize your search.

Options

Folder Handling

You can choose how results are returned when folders match the search criteria:

Return those folders	Returns folders that meet the search criteria
Return those folders as well as their contents	Returns folders that meet the search criteria as well as their contents
Return only the contents of those folders	Returns the contents of folders that meet search criteria, without displaying the folders themselves

Searches will always return files that meet the search criteria regardless of this setting.