# Universal Search

**Universal Search** is a built‑in feature in **ONEWEB App Designer** that allows users to create and reuse **custom search criteria** on Smart Forms.\
This feature helps users find records quickly and consistently without repeatedly redefining search conditions.

Universal Search can be configured at two levels:

* **Shared search criteria** (created by an admin and used by all users)
* **Personal search criteria** (created and used by individual users)

***

### Why Use Universal Search

Universal Search improves usability by:

* Allowing users to search records using **custom, meaningful criteria**
* Reducing repetitive search configuration
* Supporting **personalized** and **shared** search views
* Enabling custom sorting and result layouts

It is especially useful for Smart Forms that manage **large volumes of data**.

***

### Enable Universal Search on an Entity

Before users can use Universal Search, it must be enabled at the **Entity level**.

#### Steps to Enable Universal Search

1. Open the Entity in **App Designer**
2. Open the **Entity Configuration** window
3. Enable the **Advanced Search** property
4. Save the Entity

<figure><img src="https://2015371994-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FMpDjHWFRUtZ5nJcSfVXd%2Fuploads%2FlOco1JMfBcnOERbZKauz%2F0?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<p align="center"><em>Enable Advanced Search in Entity Configuration</em></p>

Once enabled, Universal Search becomes available on the Smart Form.

***

### Use Universal Search on a Smart Form

After Universal Search is enabled, users can configure and use it directly from the Smart Form UI.

#### Open Advanced Search Configuration

1. Open the Smart Form in **FrontWeb**
2. Click the **Advanced Search configuration icon**

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2015371994-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FMpDjHWFRUtZ5nJcSfVXd%2Fuploads%2Fgk6IF0aPL1t1a7kdVivF%2F1?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

*Advanced Search icon on Smart Form*

<figure><img src="https://2015371994-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FMpDjHWFRUtZ5nJcSfVXd%2Fuploads%2FQneJi3vhTkV6QMXutBtl%2F2?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<p align="center"><em>Advanced Search configuration screen</em></p>

***

### Create Custom Search Criteria

Users can create **favorite search criteria** to reuse later.

#### Steps to Create a Favorite Search

1. Click the **Add Favorite** icon

<figure><img src="https://2015371994-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FMpDjHWFRUtZ5nJcSfVXd%2Fuploads%2FvvcpJu80aonnmoB4t8UP%2F3?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<p align="center"><em>Add Favorite search criteria</em></p>

2. Configure the search criteria:

* Select fields to search
* Define conditions
* Choose sorting preferences

3. Set **Manage Type**:

* **Me** → personal search criteria
* **All** → shared with other users

<figure><img src="https://2015371994-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FMpDjHWFRUtZ5nJcSfVXd%2Fuploads%2F9ct2TQNkREmDn1cwfW3h%2F4?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<p align="center"><em>Search criteria configuration</em></p>

***

### Customize Search Fields and Results

Universal Search allows users to:

* Choose which **fields appear in the search form**
* Customize **search result columns**
* Define **sorting order**

This flexibility ensures each user sees results that match their workflow.

***

### Reuse and Switch Between Search Criteria

Once saved, users can easily:

* Switch between different saved search criteria
* Reuse searches without redefining conditions

<figure><img src="https://2015371994-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FMpDjHWFRUtZ5nJcSfVXd%2Fuploads%2FoFwSqq1JWI8KIDXAGEEV%2F5?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<p align="center"><em>Select and apply saved search criteria</em></p>

***

### Design Perspective

As part of **Smart Form best practices**:

* Enable Universal Search for data‑heavy forms
* Use shared criteria for standardized reporting
* Allow personal criteria for individual productivity
* Keep search fields relevant and minimal

Universal Search significantly enhances usability and efficiency when working with Smart Forms.


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