Mac Word-Search Function Useless-Weird!

[trevor25220]

Ever since going Mac in 2011, I found word-searches of either the whole system, or external (WD 'My Passport for Mac') hard drives, present a list of totally-unrelated files, despite viewing 'By Name'. The required files are often not even anywhere in the long list given, and had to be searched-for, manually, by 'Date Created'. This is a really weak feature of Macs, which they never sorted out. Don't recall the same frustration with Windows. Any ideas?

 

[ferrarr]

Some here use other apps for search. Two of the more common apps are:

Find any file, Thomas Tempelmann - Find Any File, and Easy Find, DEVONtechnologies | Needful Things.

Personally I use easy find as don't use search that often.

 

[IWT]

I agree with Bob (ferrarr). I have both Easy Find and Find Any File.

Ian

 

[MacInWin]

Ever since going Mac in 2011, I found word-searches of either the whole system, or external (WD 'My Passport for Mac') hard drives, present a list of totally-unrelated files, despite viewing 'By Name'. The required files are often not even anywhere in the long list given, and had to be searched-for, manually, by 'Date Created'. This is a really weak feature of Macs, which they never sorted out. Don't recall the same frustration with Windows. Any ideas?

Depends on the "word" you search for. If you look for something common, it may well be in all of those "totally-unrelated files" you referred to. On the other hand, if you want a certain document and can think of a rare word that is in the document, that can return a shorter list.

I also use FAF and EasyFind. Both work well.

 

[trevor25220]

I tried Easy Find: it is much better than Apple's pathetic default search feature, thanks. Find Any File was not as good or comprehensive as Easy Find, and FAF looks to be angling for purchase.

 

[chscag]

Find Any File was not as good or comprehensive as Easy Find, and FAF looks to be angling for purchase.

Correct. EasyFind is freeware while FAF is not. And by the way, I never found Windows search to be useful either. I can remember using other utilities to do the searching. Trying to find something in the Windows Registry is a nightmare.

 

[MacInWin]

Trying to find something in the Windows Registry is a nightmare.

Amen to that! Windows search really was awful.

 

[pm-r]

I tried Easy Find: it is much better than Apple's pathetic default search feature, thanks. Find Any File was not as good or comprehensive as Easy Find, and FAF looks to be angling for purchase.

I'm not saying that Apple's Spotlight couldn't be improved, but it has improved from the original Stoplight I used to refer to it as, and both Find Any File and Easy Find are both must-have apps as far as I'm concerned, but you might want to check out some of the sites that give some hints and tutorials and even some tricks for using a Mac Spotlight search:

how to use search functions with Macs - Google Search

www.google.com

And don't forget some search tricks when doing Mac searches using quotes etc:

mac searches using quotes - Google Search

www.google.com

- Patrick
=======

 

[Rod]

+1 Easy Find for me although I do have FAF too. I personally find Spotlight more useable for day to day use, I seldom use Find from a Finder Window or Command + F unless I know exactly what I'm looking for. These days I do use Command + F in browser windows to find content though. It can be particularly handy on this web page. see example below;

 

[twizzard]

Ever since going Mac in 2011, I found word-searches of either the whole system, or external (WD 'My Passport for Mac') hard drives, present a list of totally-unrelated files, despite viewing 'By Name'. The required files are often not even anywhere in the long list given, and had to be searched-for, manually, by 'Date Created'. This is a really weak feature of Macs, which they never sorted out. Don't recall the same frustration with Windows. Any ideas?

I use Houdah Spot - not free, but very capable.

 

[Cur]

Sorry, I am coming to this conversation late. I went to the App Store to download "Easy Find". That didn't come up for me but "Easy Finder 2" did. Is this a later version of "Easy Find" or a totally different search program? Thanks!

 

[pm-r]

Sorry, I am coming to this conversation late. I went to the App Store to download "Easy Find". That didn't come up for me but "Easy Finder 2" did. Is this a later version of "Easy Find" or a totally different search program? Thanks!

I don't know, but I do know I avoid the Apple Store for such utilities if possible which are often crippled for some strange reason apple has for doing so.

You can get a genuine full copy of and find a real "Easy Find" version here:

DEVONtechnologies | Needful Things

A little collection of free utilities for the Mac to make your life easier.

www.devontechnologies.com

And don't forget to get a real full copy of "Find Any File" (FAF) here:

Find Any File

apps.tempel.org

Both required apps IMHO.



- Patrick
=======

 

[Cur]

Thank you Patrick. I downloaded Easy Find and did one quick test. It found files in my Finder, but not any in my Evernote, where I keep many notes and reminders. Should it find files outside of Finder? Thanks!

 

[chscag]

My understanding of Easy Find is that it does not search within an app such as Evernote. Not sure I understand what you mean... "files outside of Finder"? Or, are you referring to "words/phrases" outside of Finder?

 

[Cur]

I meant find files containing the search term. So, it seems Easy Find does not search the contents all programs residing on my Mac. Only those that would be found within Finder? Please excuse my ignorance of such things! Thank you for your thoughts!

 

[MacInWin]

On the sidebar of EasyFind should be this:

Select File Contents to search inside files.

 

[Cur]

That's the exact setup I am using.

 

[MacInWin]

That's the exact setup I am using.

Then it's not going to search inside a file, if that button is not clicked. I only took a screenshot of what I had set up last time to show where it was. Click on the "File Contents" radio button to have EF search INSIDE the files.

 

[Cur]

By golly, I think you broke the code for me! "Contents" seems to be the key, duh!

Many thanks. I will work with this. But maybe stay tuned for more questions...

Bob

 

[pm-r]

By golly, I think you broke the code for me! "Contents" seems to be the key, duh!

Also give Find Any File.app a try and click on the "Name" button for other search options and locations. It may be faster for your particular use, or maybe not.


- Patrick
=======