Search field in finder window fails to find

I'm in the process of preparing some thumbnail images for a webpage. I have each file named by our item number at 300 pixels wide. There is a thumbnail image of each at 50% size and 25% size. The 50% image is named with a "_150" after each file name and a "_75" after the 25% thumbnail image before the ,JPG file extension.
All images are contained in one folder. I now want to put each size in it's own folder (all the full sized images in one folder, all the 50% sized images in another and all the 25% sized images in the last folder. Normally (under Panther) I'd do a search in the Search field in the finder window to find all files with _150 in their name in the selected folder, select the results and move them to their own folder. It seems Spotlight with all it's vaunted search power cannot find any files with _150 in the folder I've indicated even though I can plainly see them. It finds no results at all. This is progress???? Give me back a simple Find command!!!!

Hmmm, how odd. I have renamed a file on my Desktop to append _150 to the end of the filename. Spotlight did find it via a Finder search.
You can try forcing Spotlight to re-index the folder by opening the Spotlight preference pane, select the Privacy tab, then drag the folder into the list. Wait one minute then delete the folder from the list. This will force Spotlight to try and re-index the folder.
If that doesn't work it's possible the Spotlight database index is messed up. If that's the case then you would need to delete the database and re-index.
I would also do a precautionary repair of the hard drive and permissions:
Boot from your OS X Installer. Be sure to use the installer for the version of OS X you have installed. After the installer loads select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (or Utilities menu if using Tiger.) After DU loads select your OS X volume from the list on the left, click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now shutdown the computer for a couple of minutes and then restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (3.0.3 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.0.4 for Tiger) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.

Similar Messages

Search field in Open dialog will not find pages documents but will find identical Microsoft word documents

This is a new one. Problem seen on iMac and Mac Pro.
1) Create a new Pages document (newest version).
2) Save to the Desktop
3) Export as MS Word document with the same identical name
4) Close the Pages documents
5) Quit Pages
6) Open Pages
7) Choose File : Open
8) In the search field in the upper right corner of Open dialog. Enter the name of the document just saved.
9) Only the MS Word document is listed. the Pages document is not shown, even when Filename contains is selected
If anyone knows how to fix this problem. please comment on this request.
thanks

thanks for testing. I do realize that the two test files will show up in the Open dialog as it opens to the Desktop folder. But what happens if it opens up in another folder and you need to locate a Pages file where you don't know the location, you remember the name. You would go to the search field in the upper right corner of the Open dialog and enter the name. In the Open dialog, the name would be listed and you can choose the one to open. In my tests, the search field would only show the MS Word document, not the Pages i.e. only one would be listed not two. Also, Filenames is an option that does appear in the search field in the Pages Open dialog.
The examples files I created are called "This is a test". The content of the file is "This is a test" (without the quotes in both). the search field in the Open dialog is suppose to locate the text in the documents if enclosed in quotes which it does for the Word document but still will not find the pages document. You can click Filenames while entering in the search field and the same occurs, only locates the Word doc, not the Pages doc.
thanks again
Stuart

The latest update window fails to find server

Hi. A recent update for firefox (about 10 days ago) opens a new window which says it is finding the server. The progress bar scans from left to right continuously and never gets anywhere!
Mark

Download a fresh Firefox copy and save the file to the desktop.
* Firefox 4.0.x: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all.html
* Uninstall your current Firefox version and remove the Firefox program folder before installing that copy of the Firefox installer.
* Do not remove personal data if you uninstall the current version.
* It is important to delete the Firefox program folder to remove all the files and make sure that there are no problems with files that were leftover after uninstalling.
Your bookmarks and other profile data are stored elsewhere in the [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox Firefox Profile Folder] and won't be affected by a reinstall, but make sure that you do not select to remove personal data if you uninstall Firefox.

Finding windows file in finder

My wife uses Parallels so she can use Quickbooks and one online database that only works with IE. It is the only thing that goes wrong with her MBP. Trying to back stuff up, anyone know how we find the windows files through the mac finder?
thanks

Hi Daniel,
a Parallels VM (Virtual Machine) merely consists of two files on your OSX volume.
Both of them have the same filename that is also the name of your Windows VM plus the file extensions .hdd and .pvs
The .pvs file is the "configuration" file of the VM and the .hdd file contains the actual Windows VM "harddisk/partition".
To my knowledge there is no way to access single files within the Windows Vm .hdd file.
However, within the Parallels Folder in your Application Folder you should have an application named "Parallels Explorer.app" whith which it should be possible to access/copy files within your Windows VM.
Regards
Stefan

Issue with implementing Find window

Hi,
I am facing an issue with implementing Find window. The find window everything is working fine, but when I am opening the form I am facing the following error
'Error: To retrieve the Information in this block, use menu option view -> query by example -> Enter to invoke enter-query mode, then view -> Query by example > Run to run your query..'
when I click 'Ok', it is navigating to the FInd window.
How can I avoid the above error message?
And also after searching, I navigate to the main window to display the records, but the 'Find' torch icon is not getting enabled, how do I that?
Thanks,
Ramu

Thanks for the reply.
Yes, I have the QUERY_FIND trigger with the code as 'APP_STANDARD.EVENT('QUERY_FIND');'
And also 'first navigation data block ' to my result block. Now that the error is gone, But still the Find Icon is not enabled
Please advice.
Thanks,
Ramu
Edited by: Ramu Chennuri on Oct 21, 2008 8:32 AM

Is there a way to view just one open Finder window (without any other Finder or other application windows coming into view) from a Desktop hot corner in Yosemite?

I just upgraded to Yosemite from Snow Leopard on a MacBook Pro. Previously, I could view just one open Finder window by viewing the Desktop via a hot corner and then selecting Finder from the Dock. This would pull only the top Finder winder into view, without showing any other open Finder windows, and most importantly, any other open application windows. I could then easily drag files/folder from my Desktop into the Finder window (which I do A LOT). Since upgrading to Yosemite, whenever I use the Desktop hot corner and select Finder from the Dock, it pulls every open application and Finder window back into view, putting Finder in front.
Is there any way to view just one already open Finder window (or all Finder windows for that matter) without seeing all other open applications, without having to Hide the other applications or using Spaces?

Yes I've created an Automator Application that does the job, but the "watch me do" function that does the Mail Merge is a rather Clunkey work around, as the mouse moves all over the place, thats the part i want to remove and replace with a script, or work out a different way around it that avoids the "watch me do" function.
Is this Possible? or where/who is there i can ask to write me a script, im not a novice to scripting, but i am a novice to Applescript.

Finder window preferences won't work

hi,
i don't seem to get working where the new finder window opens. in Finder Preferences, under General i have selected Documents for the new finder window to open but it still opens in Machintosh HD. i've tried Home and Computer but it doesn't work either, it seems to be stuck to open in Machintosh HD. i've restarted the computer but it still doesn't work. can anyone help? thanks.

A_,
Glad to help again.
Use the checklist in The Repair functions of Disk Utility: what's it all about? by Dr. Smoke.
Download and reinstall both the Mac OS X 10.4.6 for PPC, and the Security Update 2006-003 Mac OS X 10.4.6 Client (PPC).
If that is unsuccessful follow the troubleshooting checklist in Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption, by Dr. Smoke.
;~)

AppleScript That Saves Finder Window Size and Location

I wrote the following AppleScript to position and size Finder windows, but the Finder doesn't "remember" the settings the next time I open the windows.
tell application "Finder"
activate
make new Finder window to disk "Hard Drive"
set toolbar visible of Finder window 1 to false
set current view of Finder window 1 to icon view
clean up Finder window 1 by name
set position of Finder window 1 to {30, 55}
set bounds of Finder window 1 to {30, 55, 400, 625}
make new Finder window to folder " Files" of disk "Hard Drive"
set current view of Finder window 1 to icon view
set toolbar visible of Finder window 1 to false
clean up Finder window 1 by name
set position of Finder window 1 to {410, 55}
set bounds of Finder window 1 to {410, 55, 975, 455}
close Finder window 1
close Finder window 1
end tell
How do I make it so the Finder will remember the location and position?

Hello
Here is a script that I use daily.
The code used to force the Finder to "remember" the window position seems a bit tricky. If I remember well I found it on MacScripter.
As far as the Finder is not corrected, we must use this kind of trickery.
--[SCRIPT]
my commun(choose folder)
on open (sel)
my commun(sel's item 1)
end open
(* set bounds to {10, 50, 800, 600} *)
on commun(F)
set F to F as Unicode text
tell application "Finder"
if class of item F is document file then set F to (container of item F) as Unicode text
if ((class of item F) is folder) then my set_bounds(F, {10, 50, 800, 600}, false)
end tell
end commun
on set_bounds(F, b, toolbar)
local ao, i, lesFichiers, fichier
tell application "Finder" to tell folder F
set lesFichiers to every file
repeat with fichier in lesFichiers
my saveImageWithItselfAsIcon(fichier as alias)
end repeat
tell container window
set ao to class is Finder window
open
set current view to icon view
set properties of its icon view options to ¬
{arrangement:arranged by name, icon size:128}
set bounds to b
set toolbar visible to toolbar
set toolbar visible to not toolbar
set toolbar visible to toolbar
if not ao then close
end tell -- to container window
repeat with i in (get folders)
my set_bounds((i as alias), b, toolbar)
end repeat
end tell -- to folder F then to Finder
end set_bounds
on saveImageWithItselfAsIcon(F)
tell application "Image Events"
launch
try
tell (open F)
try
save with icon -- save iconimagefile with itself as icon
end try
close
end tell
end try
end tell
end saveImageWithItselfAsIcon
--[/SCRIPT]
Yvan KOENIG (from FRANCE mardi 13 mars 2007 20:51:14)

Is there a difference between "Spotlight" & the "Search" field?

Hi,
In Lion, is there a difference between searching for a file using SPOTLIGHT . . . or the SEARCH field in the upper left of a folder (if you click your Hard drive.)?
For example, I have a MacBook Pro with a 2nd hard drive inside. If I don't "Spotlight" the 2nd hard drive - will the SEARCH field then still work? Or if I DO SPOTLIGHT it - is it using the same search mechanism using "Find" and "Spotlight"?
I'm curious how this works? Thanks very much,
Larry

Using COMMAND-F or Finder's search field provides a window like this:
If you click on the Kind dropdown menu you will see:
You can select different search criteria for locating files. If you then select Other you will see:
You can then check the different search attributes you wish to add to the previously shown dropdown menu thus providing many different search criteria.

Magnifying glass search field versus initial characters scroll.

I don't want to use the "magnifying glass" search field in iTunes window. I prefer to type the first few characters and iTunes scrolls there. With most recent update, I can no longer do this. Any advice on disabling the magnifying glass? (Previously, you just had to mouse click outside of the magnifying glass search box anywhere in iTunes to disable. This no longer works for me.)

There is a wide range of Android devices out there and we simply can't test each and every model. To make things worse even devices sold under the same name worldwide might differ internally in both hard- and software. You can help us reproducing your issues by supplying as detailed information about your setup as possible.
Here's a short list of items that could really assist the team troubleshoot issues:
Device Maker
Device Name
Device Model (You can get this from Native menu - Settings - About phone - Model number)
Android OS version (Please specify whether this is stock Android or a custom ROM [such as a CyanogenMod build])
Network (mobile carrier or wifi)
Skype client version installed
Example:
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (GT-P7510) w/ stock Android 4.4 & WiFi (home/office network), Skype v5.0.0.108
Your message (which you create by clicking the new_message.png button on the Android board) should include this:
1. Brief description of bad behavior.
2. Steps to repeat bad behavior.
3. Frequency of triggering bad behavior (ie, 1/5 tries vs 3/5 tries vs 5/5 tries)
If we can get this data from you on your first post of distress, we may be able to greatly reduce lag time in repeating the bad behavior in-house, and may get a fix that much more quickly.

With installation of 10.1 I lost finder search function. The finder window appears, but no matter what I put in the search window, nothing is found. I re-installed it with initial success, but it failed again very soon.

With installation of 10.1 I lost finder search function. The finder window appears, but no matter what I put in the search window, nothing is found. I re-installed it with initial success, but it failed again very soon.
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010)
OS X 10.10.1

Hey Reoh,
Thank you for contributing to the Apple Support Communities.
If searching for files in Finder doesn't return any results, try using the steps in this article to reindex the Spotlight search index of your MacBook Pro hard drive:
Spotlight: How to re-index folders or volumes - Apple Support
Sincerely,
Jeremy

Fails to find files that exist, fails to search everywhere

Running OSX 10.4.3 on a Powerbook G4 1.5gHz and on a PowerMac G4/867.
I hope it is because I am doing something wrong, but so far I am very unimpressed with Spotlight, for the following reasons:
•It fails to find files that are known to exist. For example, I have an application named MacTracker. It is in my Applications folder. When I enter
tracker
in the search field,
(with location set as wide as "computer" or as narrow as "Applications", with or without a "name contains" restriction) Spotlight will not show MacTracker as existing, even though I can see it with my own eyes, in the Applications folder window in the background. Only if I search on
Mactracker
will Spotlight see the application. This seems ridiculous to me. Any search, especially a "name contains" search, ought to show MacTracker if I search on track, tracker, actra, mactrac, etc. But, no. I have to enter "MacTracker" if I want it found.
•I make use of OSX Mail only occasionally. For most of my e-mail, I use a Unix mail handler known as PINE. PINE stores incoming and outgoing mail as plain text files in /users/me/mail . However, Spotlight refuses to include that location in its searches. I have tried using the Spotlight preferences to add
/mail to the list of specific places to search; no luck, Spotlight appears completely blind to anything outside of the locations Apple arbitrarily decided I needed to be able to search in.
Can anyone offer any ideas on how to make Spotlight work for me, instead of against me?
Thanks in advance.
Mac OS X (10.4.3)

same problem here. the only answer i can find is....spotlight buh-lows. does anyone know if we can just revert to ye olden way of searching? simple things like: searching actually find the stuff you're searching for. and: list of items found arrangeable by date/alphabetically (just like any normal window in osx). also, is hitting apple-f essentially just bringing up spotlight in its own window, or does this search function differ at all? sorry to hijack the thread, but we suffer from the same problems. thank you!
pb12 Mac OS X (10.4.2)

How can I disable "search as you type" in Finder windows?

I have used OS X since it first came out and have upgraded to each version since then. I am now on Lion. I have endured "search as you type" for as long as it has been a "feature" and I must say that I am fed up with it, mainly because it slows me down. It makes the computer "get in my way," which is the very anathema Steve Jobs sought to destroy with Apple. My Mac should be a friendly tool that doesn't get in my way. Most of the time it is, but not when it comes to Finder searches.
Toward that end I wish to disable "search as you type" (or whatever the offical name for it is). More specifically, I want to disable it in the search bar in the upper right corner of Finder windows.
I don't care about the Spotlight menu in the menubar, as I never use that and don't want to train myself to use it. And I refuse to use an alternative search utility to Spotlight. I want to use the search field in the upper right corner of Finder windows, AND NOTHING ELSE. But at the same time, I want to kill "search as you type." I want to be able to type as fast or slow as I like and have my computer not search for anything at all until I hit RETURN. I don't want to argue about it. That is the way I want it. And again, I don't want to use a 3rd part utility, no matter how glorious some people may say they are because I stubbornly want to use the search bar atop every Finder window EXCLUSIVELY.
Therefore, is there some Terminal hack to accomplish this feat? If so, what is it?
Many thanks for your time. I look forward to hearing your solutions.
--James Wages

Having posted the initial question more than 1 week ago now, I must say that I am quite shocked and dismayed that not a single experienced individual among us in these forums has the knowledge to even approach my question! Not even a reply to say "it cannot be done"! Forgive me for being brash. But is everyone on vacation? Or does no one know? Or is everyone truly apathetic toward the existing functionality?
If our computers were so lightning fast that "search as you type" was instantaneous (i.e., displayed results a 50ms or so, and faster than I could notice such that my fingers were not slowed down at all as I type), I wouldn't have taken time to write about this. But I put forth the initial question because of the inherent slowness of "search as you type" and therefore I wish to know how one would go about disabling it on an OS level (i.e., without having to resort to a third party app).
I look forward to your insightful replies!
Thank you.

Finder search bug? No results if 'Search' field is blank.

I can't determine if this is a bug or is simply a change in Finder search behavior (for the worse, IMO) in 10.8.
In the Finder, when I select 'File>>Find' (or hit ⌘-F) and then select the current folder from the top of the search parameters, no files appear in the search results if the 'Search' (for filename) field at the top of the window is blank even though the only other search parameter is 'Kind is Any'.
If I enter text in the 'Search' field, matching results start to appear.
In 10.7, I saw different behavior. In the absence of text in the Search field, the Finder would simply return results matching the other parameters and ignore the Search field.
With the new behavior, there doesn't seem to be any way to construct a saved search based solely on other parameters (kind, date, file label, etc) without specifying some filename parameter as well. Of course, I can work around the problem by using something like 'NOT xxx!@#$%' in the Search field, but this approach is klugy at best.
Anyone else see this? Bug? Deliberate change in Finder behavior?

Yes the report ESH_TEST_SEARCH returns no material.
So should I suspend the indexing and reschedule with with real time indexing ? I am not sure whether we choose real time indexing in the first time.
What about the authorizations, I see USER_AUTHORITY object is activealready.
Thanks

When does a selection in a text field in a Finder window lose focus?

Hello,
this problem has emerged on account of an Applescript file that needs to access a text selection (portion of a filename highlighted) in an open Finder window.
The bare minimum code to demonstrate the problem is this:
*tell application "System Events"*
* *tell process "Finder"*
* *set selText to value of attribute "AXSelectedText" of text field 1*
* *end tell*
*end tell*
other variants also exist, using "keystroke" but that does not work either. I am not asking help with Applescript here, it is here only to give a sense of the problem.
My conclusion thus far is that the selection lose focus before the script process can access it. In the best case I get the full filename by using "attribute" and copy of the alias onto the clipboard by using "keystroke".
So my problem is this:
It seems that the focus stays alive when one clicks on a menubar item, any click on any other item on the desktop, including windows of irrelevant applications, changes the focus from the selection within the text field corresponding to a filename, to the filename itself.
And my question is this:
Is there a changeable setting within the OS that has to do with how long the focus stays alive on a selection within a text field corresponding to a filename? If yes, how do I change it?
Thanks

baltwo wrote:
Thanks for clarifying. Never heard it called a text field, just a label. So, exactly what are you trying to accomplish? Is it that you want AS to select the file, highlight its label so you can edit/change it with some other text? If so, have you checked out the Finder scripts installed on the machine, especially the Finder script *Add to Finder Names*?
UI Element Inspector calls the activated/editable filename a text field.
Actually I want to modify one of the stock Finder scripts. I want to be able to select part of the file name in the active text field of the Finder window, then activate the script, *have the script pick up the selection* as a text string then use it internally.
The bolded step is the one in question.
Every attempt fails on the fact that the focus is lost from the "text field" and it reverts to the label for the filename, if I may use this distinction, (or to "FinderItem" in the parlance of UIEI) as soon as another process begins, it seems. So when the script becomes active, but before any of the commands is executed, the selection disappears.
My guess is that it is not some absolute necessity but a setting that perhaps can be changed somehow.

Search field in finder window fails to find

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for