Search for Text in a Document from Finder Spotlight

Is there any way to find a specific word or text string in a document from Finder without having to save a new search eac time? I perform many different searches and do not want to have to save a new search each time.

You never have to save ANY search ever if you don't want to. So I'm afraid I'm not understanding what you mean. Also, if you have a saved search and you bring it up to use it, you can change it by going to the Action item (the little gear) in the toolbar, click to see the options, and then select "Show Search Criteria"--I have a specialized saved search that includes "Name matches xyz" as one of the criteria, when I want to find something using it I click in the sidebar, go to Action, have it show the search criteria, and then replace "xyz" with whatever I really want to seach for. You may find my article on Spotlight useful:
http://www.pinkmutant.com/articles/Leopard/leospot.html
There's a link near the end of the section to more examples.
Francine
Francine
Schwieder

Similar Messages

"Search for text" Zooms when number keys pressed. Expecting it to FIND text

For months I have been using (&relying on) the "search for text when I start typing " feature.
I am a school teacher & this helps me to search for students & record scores in an online grading program.
The "search for text when I start typing feature" stopped working two days ago.
Before, whenever I typed the "Find" box immediately opened up, searched the screen,
and highlighted whatever I had just typed. Now, when I enter a "1", "2" , "6" , "9" or "0" (zero)
the find box does not come up- so this disrupts all the grade recording process for me.
Instead, when I type in 6 or 9 (it zooms in the screen instead), 0 (it zooms out instead) and I cannot tell what happens
when I type in 1 or 2 (nothing appears to happen- but no "Find" box comes up.
Edit by a moderator to improve the title
(As suggested by a contributor, flagging the post)
Was
*The Firefox "search for text when I start typing feature" has just stopped working correctly
Now
*"Search for text" Zooms when number keys pressed. Expecting it to FIND text
~J99
I tried restarting Firefox and turning on/off the Advanced feature ( "search for text when I start typing feature")
but it did not help. I am using a Mac. I also tried using an external keyboard/keypad but the exact same
results occur.
Please help!
Thanks,
Barry

The keyboard shortcut for resetting the zoom level is Command+0, so seeing that kind of response implies that Firefox is misreading the state of the Command key, thinking it is stuck down. Usually tapping the key numerous times will send a signal to all programs that the key has been released (at least on Windows).
On the other hand, in that case, Command+6 should jump to the sixth tab in the current window, it shouldn't change the zoom level. So... hmm...
In case a component of the OS has malfunctioned, have you already tried shutting down the system completely and then starting it up again?

Search for text and font

I have an 800 page pdf document to index and so far I have a script that will search for a list of keywords. But the text has large sections of code in a different font, and I think we would like to generate an index of just code examples. Is there a way to search for text of a given font in applescript? Something like
set theSel to find text theText
if the font of theSel is "Times"
write to file, etc.

Please do send a page, I might be able to spot where the font problem is coming from - but no guarantee Address is in my profile.
You asked about the script formatter. red_menace of this forum wrote the script I use. To use it, you copy the script that you want to format to the clipboard and run the formatter. This then places the marked-up text in the clipboard so that you can paste it into the forum page.
<pre style="
font-family: Monaco, 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;
font-size: 10px;
margin: 0px;
padding: 5px;
border: 1px solid #000000;
width: 720px; height: 340px;
color: #000000;
background-color: #FFDDFF;
overflow: auto;">
script formatter - formats the clipboard text for forum posting
last reviewed January 19, 2009 red_menace[at]mac[dot]com
Input: text read from the clipboard
Output: formatted text copied to the clipboard
set AppleScript's text item delimiters to " "
-- some constants and switches
property TextColor : "#000000" -- black (see http://www.w3schools.com/tags/ref_colornames.asp)
property BackgroundColor : "#FFDDFF" -- a light plum/purple
property BorderColor : "#000000" -- black
property TheWidth : "width: 720px; " -- a width attribute (deprecated in HTML 4.01)
property UseWidth : true -- use the width attribute?
property LineCount : 25 -- the number of lines before including the height attribute
property TheHeight : "height: " & ((LineCount * 13.6) as integer) & "px; " -- a maximum height for the <pre> box
property Emphasize : false -- emphasise (bold) the script text?
property UseURL : false -- include a Script Editor message link?
property AltURL : false -- use an alternate URL encoding?
property ToolTips : {¬
"this text can be pasted into the Script Editor", ¬
"this text can be pasted into an Automator 'Run AppleScript' action", ¬
"this text can be pasted into an Automator 'Run Shell Script' action", ¬
"this text can be pasted into a HTML editor", ¬
"this text can be pasted into a text editor", ¬
"- none -"}
property TooltipDefault : {item 1 of ToolTips} -- keep track of the last tooltip used
property TempFile : "Script_Formatter_TempFile" -- a temporary work file
try
-- write the clipboard to the temporary file
set TheClipboard to (the clipboard) as text
if TheClipboard is in {"", space, tab, return} then return -- clipboard is (basically) empty
set MyOpenFile to open for access ("/tmp/" & TempFile & ".txt" as POSIX file) with write permission
set eof of MyOpenFile to 0 -- empty any previous temp file
write TheClipboard to MyOpenFile
close access MyOpenFile
if UseURL then
-- encode URL (see http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Darwin/Reference/Manpages/man1/pydoc.1. html)
do shell script "/usr/bin/python -c 'import sys, urllib; print urllib.quote(sys.argv[1])' " & quoted form of TheClipboard
-- add a link wrapper
set URLtext to "applescript://com.apple.scripteditor?action=new&script=" & the result
if AltURL then -- use an alternate URL encoding
set URLtext to "Click here to [url=" & URLtext & "]open this script in the Script Editor[/url]: "
else -- use HTML anchor tag
set URLtext to "Click here to <a href=\"" & URLtext & "\">open this script in the Script Editor</a>: "
end if
set PromptText to ((count URLtext) as text) & " URL and "
else
set {URLtext, PromptText} to {"", ""}
end if -- UseURL
-- convert to HTML (see http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Darwin/Reference/ManPages/man1/textutil .1.html)
do shell script "cd /tmp/; /usr/bin/textutil -convert html -excludedelements '(html, head, title, body, p, span, font)' -encoding US-ASCII " & TempFile & ".txt"
-- fix up some formatting and add a pre wrapper (see http://www.w3schools.com/tags/default.asp)
set HTMLtext to rest of paragraphs of (read ("/tmp/" & TempFile & ".html" as POSIX file))
if (count HTMLtext) is less than LineCount then -- skip the height attribute
set Height to ""
else
set Height to TheHeight
end if
set HTMLtext to FixCharacters from (HTMLtext as text) -- additional character encodings
if UseWidth then
set Width to TheWidth
else
set Width to ""
end if
if Emphasize then set HTMLtext to "" & HTMLtext & ""
set HTMLtext to "<pre style=\"
font-family: Monaco, 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;
font-size: 10px;
margin: 0px;
padding: 5px;
border: 1px solid " & BorderColor & ";
" & Width & Height & "
color: " & TextColor & ";
background-color: " & BackgroundColor & ";
overflow: auto;\"
title=\"\">
" & HTMLtext & "</pre>
-- assemble everything on the clipboard
set TheResult to choose from list ToolTips ¬
with title "Script Formatted" with prompt PromptText & ((count HTMLtext) as text) & " HTML characters will be placed on the clipboard (plus the following ToolTip):" default items TooltipDefault OK button name "OK" cancel button name "Cancel" with empty selection allowed without multiple selections allowed
if TheResult is false then -- cancel button
error number -128
else -- add the selected title attribute (tooltip), if any
set TooltipDefault to TheResult as text
set Here to (offset of " title=" in HTMLtext) - 1
set There to (offset of ">" in HTMLtext) - 1
if TheResult is in {{}, "- none -"} then -- no tooltip
set the clipboard to URLtext & (text 1 thru (Here - 1) of HTMLtext) & (text (There + 1) thru -1 of HTMLtext)
else
set the clipboard to URLtext & (text 1 thru (Here + 9) of HTMLtext) & TheResult & (text There thru -1 of HTMLtext)
end if
end if -- TheResult is false
on error ErrorMessage number ErrorNumber
log space & (ErrorNumber as text) & ":" & tab & ErrorMessage
try
close access MyOpenFile
end try
if (ErrorNumber is -128) or (ErrorNumber is -1711) then -- nothing (user cancelled)
else
activate me
display alert "Error " & (ErrorNumber as text) message ErrorMessage as warning buttons {"OK"} default button "OK"
end if
end try
to FixCharacters from TheText
fixes (converts) formatting characters used in some message forums (see http://www.asciitable.com/)
parameters - TheText [text]: the text to fix
returns [text]: the fixed text
-- this list of lists contains the characters to encode - item 1 is the character, item 2 is the HTML encoding
set TheCharacters to {¬
{"!", "!"}, ¬
{"*", "*"}, ¬
{"+", "+"}, ¬
{"-", "-"}, ¬
{"[", "["}, ¬
{"\\", "\"}, ¬
{"]", "]"}, ¬
{"^", "^"}, ¬
{"_", "_"}, ¬
{"~", "~"}}
set TempTID to AppleScript's text item delimiters
repeat with SomeCharacter in TheCharacters
if item 1 of SomeCharacter is in TheText then -- replace
set AppleScript's text item delimiters to item 1 of SomeCharacter
set the ItemList to text items of TheText
set AppleScript's text item delimiters to item 2 of SomeCharacter
set TheText to the ItemList as text
end if
end repeat
set AppleScript's text item delimiters to TempTID
return TheText
end FixCharacters
</pre>

Searching for text containing diacritics (accents)

iTunes doesn't find titles when searching for texts containing diacritics (like "âàéêèëîïôöûùü", in french). Even when a song title is copied and pasted in the search field, it is still not found. I get the same problem when I call the search from AppleScript. When searching for only the part before or the part after the diacritic, then iTunes does find something. I think it is a bug. Is there someone that knows what to do?

Too bad the problem is back with the new iTunes 8.0. It is quite annoying since I got a lot of entries with those diacritics...

Editor: Annoying pop-up for choosing main programs when searching for text

Hi,
We're upgrading to ECC60 and are getting frustrated when searching for text in a source code within the ABAP editor.
For every include contained in the main program you are searching in there is a pop-up asking to choose the main program for that include.
This can get crazy when searching in a standard SAP program such as SAPMV45A. You'll have to process through 30-40 of these pop-up windows before your search results appear. I each pop-up you have to scroll though dozens of main programs to find the one you are doing the search in.
Can this be turned of somehow to have the search functionality work as it did in previous version, where the Editor knows that the program you are launching the search from is the main program you want the results from?
Thanks,
Peter

HI Peter
Please check if program: RPR_ABAP_SOURCE_SCAN can help you...
Regards
Eswar

Search for text when I start typing, I want to disable it but it doesn'

I chat in chat rooms from time to time and I find it bothersome when every time I start to type the computer starts to search for text. I have gone to firefox options and it is not enabled but search it does. Can you suggest a way that I can stop that from happening?
Thank you
Sherrie

See:
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Find_bar_opens_when_typing_in_textbox
*searchhotkeys: http://nic-nac-project.de/~kaosmos/index-en.html#searchkeys

In finder, or say anything else such as downloaded files, I have to push open with in order to open the file. If I simply double-click on a document from finder, it does not open.

Hey guys. I have this problem where when I try to open say a document from finder, I have to push "open with."
Simply double-clicking does not work. I would greatly appreciate it if anybody could help.
Another unrelated problem is that when I push to open itunes, it says that it is on a locked disk.
Thanks

Select a particular download file. Press COMMAND-I to open the Get Info window. In the Open With section choose the desired default application from the dropdown menu then click on the Change All button.
For .dmg files use DiskImageMounter (System/Library/CoreServices/ folder.)
For .zip files use Archiver - same folder as above - or download TheArchiver - MacUpdate or CNET Downloads.

Problems with searching for text in Preview

Hi, everyone...I'm hoping someone can help me out with this. I have an old MBP with Tiger installed and Preview 3.0.9. I have attempted to search for words in numerous PDF files and the search function NEVER brings up the words even when I know the words are contained in the document. I read the Preview manual and I know I'm following the correct procedures in searching for text, but nothing seems to work. Can anyone help me out with what I may be doing wrong? Thanks!

I can't picture what you could possibly be doing wrong, there's not much choice in the matter.
The only time Searching fails here is if the text in the PDF is actually only a graphic of the text.
Are these PDFs that you made? If so, what APP?
If you down load this PDF, does Search work on it?
http://web.fastermac.net/~bdaqua/TestText.pdf

Dreamweaver cs5.5 opening files after searching for text code

This just occured this afternoon. I was working on a page and when I went to search for text in the code (ie "/head") dreamweaver would open a previously opened page. In other words I was working on "walk.php" and when I did the search for "/head", dreamweaver opens "add_rsurvey_data.txt". I know what the 2nd file is but I haven't opened it in months. It's just a temp data file that my partner sent me.
I'm using cs5.5
Adobe will not help me.
Thanks
Glenn

We don't get attachments from email replies here. You would need to use the Camera icon in the actual web forum to a post screen shot.
If this began yesterday, try deleting your Cache & restarting DW.
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/494811
Nancy O.

Can't Open Documents From Finder

Sorry- the topic title is a little deceiving. I wasn't quite sure where this issue would go because really it's an issue I'm having with Word.
Word doesn't seem to want to open ANY documents. Every time I try, it stops responding and I have to Force Quit. I don't think it's a problem with the documents themselves because TextEdit can still open them. Also, I know that Word installed properly because it's been opening documents fine for two years-- this only started a couple of days ago. Ordinarily I'd simply reinstall, but I don't have the disk. Word won't open documents from Finder, or after I launch and select open from the options. It also won't open any downloads.
Any suggestions as to what's going on and how I should fix this would be much appreciated. (Also, if you could tell me where this topic SHOULD be, that would also be appreciated).

Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Choose a doc and command-i (Get Info) Be sure "Open With" it says, MS Word. If not then choose it and click on Use this app to open all files like this"
If that doesn't help check in support the forums here...
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/default.mspx
-mj

If I have lion installed on one computer, how do I transfer it to another without having to download it? My net is to slow to redownload it. I searched for lion os x.app in finder and couldn't find it.

If I have lion installed on one computer, how do I transfer it to another without having to download it? My net is to slow to redownload it. I searched for lion os x.app in finder and couldn't find it.

Downloading Lion from the Mac App Store didn't put the Lion OS on your computer. It put an application package called Install Mac OS X Lion on your computer; specifically, in your Applications folder.
If you install from the Install Mac OS X Lion application package inside your Applications folder, the application package (the installer) will be deleted once the installation is complete. You must copy the installer to another location or to another drive/media before you run it to upgrade to Lion - if you didn't do that, then you have to download it again.
If you did copy the installer, then you can just copy it over to any other Mac you own which meets Lion's minimum system requirements and run it again to upgrade those other Macs to Lion.

How do I search for text on a webpage?

I have found some answers for mobile devices, but how do I search for text on a webpage for my notebook?

You will find command F is fairly universal.
good computing

I have this formatted search for WharHouse Code in Document

Hello Experts,
I have this formatted search for WharHouse Code in Document
declare @WhsCode char(8)
if $[ODLN.Series] = '1077' set @WhsCode = '970'
else set @WhsCode = '01'
select @WhsCode
and i would like to add to it:
If an item has a default warehouse so it is to appear in a row (when not '1077' series) and if the item does not has a default warehouse then the warehouse eill be 01.
Your Help Please!
Thank You
Meital

Hi Meital,
Try this:
SELECT CASE WHEN $[ODLN.Series\] = '1077' THEN '970' ELSE ISNULL(T0.DfltWH,'01')
FROM dbo.OITM T0 WHERE T0.ItemCode = $[$38.1.0\]
Thanks,
Gordon

Anyone else had issues with phone network being unavailable on iPhone 4 since updating to iOS 5.0.1? My iPhone 4 is continually searching for a network and does not find my provider. I swapped SIMs with another iPhone 4 on ios 4 to confirm device problem.

Has anyone else had issues with phone network being unavailable on iPhone 4 since updating to iOS 5.0.1? My iPhone 4 is continually searching for a network and does not find AT&T, my provider. I swapped SIM cards with another iPhone 4 running ios 4 and established this is a device problem, not a SIM card problem.

Does the device get any signal?
Sounds like the device may have had a hardware failure. If it is out of warranty, the only option is the Out of Warranty replacement.
AppleCare is only an option if it is still under the original warranty.

Mac mini Server 10.6 unable to search for files on the server from desktop.

I'm running Mac mini Server 10.6 with 15 various Apple Mac desktops 10.4 / 10.6. The problem i'm having is that i'm unable to search for files on the server from any of the desktops. I have fixed permissions and rebooted. I can perfomr a search though command - F and spotlight from the server.
Anyone have any ideas?

I have a Mac mini server with Mac osx 10.6.8 installed --- I have a website {UNDER CONSTRUCTION} installed on it with a REGISTERED DOMAIN NAME belizeansworldwide.com -->[DNS service w/GoDaddy] & DSL INTERNET service w/VERIZON --- {My server is the ONLY DEVICE CONNECTED to my VERIZON DSL router/modem}
When I enter my DOMAIN NAME or WAN IP # in my browser(s)--> Chrome OR Safari -- i get my Verizon modem
set-up page-->{this incl the WAN IP# as I expected}----{NORMALLY I WOULD ACCESS MY Actiontec
modem/router via 192.168.1.1} --- While in that webpage there's an option "shared files/folders" & clicking on that option DISPLAYS MY WEBSITE ---> {"PORT FORWARDING DID NOT RESOLVE THAT"}
My next attempt @ a solution was through my Server's SystemPreference>Sharing>Internet Sharing
& this the Original Object of my post ===> "MY SHARING PANEL DOES NOT INCLUDE THE OPTION
FOR 'Internet Sharing' among the others like CD DVD, Remote Login,Remote Management, Bluetooth Sharing, etc.etc ---- Hope this additional info will help to clarify &/or explain my problem
Thanks, & best regards to you & yours

Search for Text in a Document from Finder Spotlight

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