Using the Q/D Button

The Search or Q/D (Question/Description) button , is used throughout vFire Core, primarily for searching and selecting a value for CMDB fields such as User, Organization, Configuration Item, Service, or Location. Search results are displayed in a Quick Search Window from which to select the relevant item.

The button has a search mode and a details mode.

The drop down function beside the Q/D button contains options to search on related fields, create a new item, open the full search window, and change the default search parameter.

Searching using the Q/D Button

You can search for a value/entity in the following ways:

If you want to see all entries	Type % and select The Quick Search window appears and displays all matching entities. If only one matching value is found, it is automatically populates the field from which you were searching.
If you know part of the name of the entity	Type the first few letters of the entity name and then select . The Quick Search window appears and displays all matching entities. For Person entities the default search is surname,firstname; for example: "smith,ian" will return Ian Smith. For Organization, Location, Config Item and Service entities, the default search is on the name or title field. If you wish, you can change the default search criteria.
If you know a related field value	Search on the related fields and select the item from the results in the Quick Search window. If you are searching for a configuration item and you know the Organization, Location or Manufacturer, type it into the field, then use arrow to the right of the Q/D field . This displays a range of search criteria, which will differ depending on the search field, with the currently selected default indicated by a dot . Select the search criteria you want. Then repeat the search.

Once a value is selected and inserted in the field, the Q/D button changes to , which you can select to view the details.

Changing the Default Q/D Search Criteria

For Person entities the default search is surname,firstname. For Organisation, Location, Config Item and Service entities, the default search is on the name or title field.

To change the default search criteria for the Q/D field, click on the arrow to the right of the Q/D button. This displays a range of search criteria, which will differ depending on the search field.
The currently selected default will be indicated with a dot .
Hover over Change Default to see the list of search criteria in a submenu.
Click on the search criteria you want to make the default.
Repeat the search if necessary.

The Quick Search Window

If you search by putting a partial entry into the Q/D button field or a Search window, and there is more than one matching entry found, they are displayed in a Quick Search window. This pop up window consists of a browse table with the search results, and a toolbar. The columns vary depending on the search item.

The following options are available in the toolbar:

Select	To...
	View the selected entry
	Create a new entry for this entity type
	Change the column display

Creating a new item using the Q/D button

Select the arrow on the Search button to see a drop down list similar to this one , though the details displayed will vary depending on the field you select it from.
Select New <item>. A blank Details window for this item appears.
Complete the details.
Save the new item.