Performing Searches using the General Search Option in DVMAX v7.0.12 - v8.5

Operating Systems: All

Applies to Versions: DVMAX v7.0.12 - v8.5


The general search option is a powerful feature that allows users the flexibility to search within a given area of DVMAX using a number of different search criteria within the same search. For example, a search can be performed for the number of active clients seen within a given time frame.

*Please note that due to the differences in each clinic's datafile, often specific examples cannot be given for a search. This document, used in conjunction with the examples in our Performing Common General Searches in DVMAX v7.0.12-v8.5 document, are designed to give you the tools needed to build searches to meet the specific needs of your clinic.
 

Accessing the General Search Option

  • In the Find box, choose the type of data for which you would like to search (Ex: Clients)
  • In the By: field choose General… as the search criteria you would like to use
  • Click Search

  • Commonly used areas in which the General… search option is used are Clients, Patients, Referral Sources, Inventory Items, and Bill Items, but you will also find the option available in many other areas of DVMAX.


Navigating the General Search Window

  1. Query Editor: This section displays the search being created
  2. Available Fields: Use this section to choose the field in which the search will take place. The Related Tables displayed will differ based on the area of DVMAX from which the General Search was invoked. For example, the list of related tables will differ if the search was generated from the Client search or from the Patient search. 
  3. Comparisons: Use this section to choose what search criteria to be used when searching the chosen field
    1. is equal to - will return all results equal to the value entered
    2. is not equal to - will return all results not equal to the value entered
    3. is greater than - will return all results greater than the value entered. Tip: when searching for a date (or range of dates) 'is greater than' is searching for dates AFTER the date entered in the value field
    4. is greater than or equal to - will return all results greater than or equal to the value entered. Tip: when searching for a date (or range of dates) 'is greater than or equal to' is searching for dates ON or AFTER the date entered in the value field
    5. is less than - will return all results less than the value entered. Tip: when searching for a date (or range of dates) 'is less than' is searching for dates BEFORE the date entered in the value field
    6. is less than or equal to - will return all results less than or equal to the value entered. Tip: when searching for a date (or range of dates) 'is less than or equal to' is searching for dates ON or BEFORE the date entered in the value field
    7. contains - will return all results that contain the word, phrase, number, or string of characters entered in the value field
    8. does not contain - will return all results EXCEPT those that contain the word, phrase, number, or string of characters entered in the value field
    9. contains keyword - will return all results that contain the word entered in the value field
  4. Value - Use this section to enter the search criteria
  5. Add Line / Insert Line / Del Line / Clear All - These buttons will allow you to expand your search to include multiple criteria
    1. Clear All - will remove all lines previously created
    2. Del Line - will remove the line that is highlighted in the query editor
    3. Insert Line - will insert add a blank line BEFORE the line that is highlighted in the query editor. After the line has been added, highlight the blank line and a field, comparison, and value can be entered for the new line.
    4. Add Line - will add a new line after the last line in the query editor. After the line has been added, highlight the blank line and a field, comparison, and value can be entered for the new line.
  6. And / Or / Except - These buttons will allow you to choose how the additional search line will interact with the rest of the items in the search
    1. And - finds all the records that meet two conditions simultaneously. For example, the query “Find all the patients which are pugs and who have a status of active” will find all active pugs in your database.

    2. Or - finds all the records that meet either of two simple queries. For example, the query “Find all the patients which are pugs or who have a status of active” will find all your patients who are pugs, as well as all active patients regardless of what breed of animal

    3. Except - is the equivalent of “not.” The query “Find all the patients except those who are pugs” will exclude all patients which are pugs.
  7. Query / Query in Selection
    1. Query - will search the entire database for results that meet your search criteria
    2. Query in Selection - will search from the list of previously displayed results. For example, if you searched for all patients by Patient Status, then chose Search in the lower left corner of the results list, and picked General, Query in Selection would search for results only using the list of patients previously displayed by the Patient Status search.
  8. Load and Save
    1. Load – Load/import a general search that has been saved to a location outside of DVMAX
    2. Save – Searches that will be used frequently can be saved to a location outside of DVMAX be loaded for use in the future.


Examples of some common searches can be found in our Performing Common General Searches in DVMAX v7.0.12-v8.5 document.