Global Search and Replace Tool

The Global Search and Replace tool allows you to search for a string and replace it with a different value. You can also select which part of the system you would like to search in as well as what types of assets. For this tool to work, indexing in the Search Manager needs to be turned on. For more information on the Search Manager, refer to the Search manual.

Tip: If an asset has Workflow applied to it, the Global Search and Replace tool will not work on that asset unless the Status of the asset is Safe Edit.

Bookmarks to the headings on this page:

  1. Search Terms
  2. Search Restrictions
  3. Search Locations
  4. Global Search and Replace Example

Search Terms

This section allows you to specify the details of the terms that you want to search and replace. The Search Terms section of the Global Search and Replace screen is shown in the figure below.

The Search Terms section of the Global Search and Replace screen
The Search Terms section 

The fields available are as follows:

  • Search String: enter the term you want to search for. You can enter a single word or a phrase.
  • Replace String: enter the term that will replace the searched term. You can enter a single word or a phrase.
  • Match Case of Target String: check this box to only return an asset if its contents match the case of the search term you enter. If you leave this box unchecked, an asset will be returned if its content matches the search term, whether or not it is the same case.

Search Restrictions

This section allows you to specify the details of the assets to include in the search. The Search Restrictions section of the Global Search and Replace screen is shown in the figure below.

The Search Restrictions section of the Global Search and Replace screen
The Search Restrictions section

The fields available are as follows: 

  • Asset Types: select an asset type to be included in the search. To select more than one asset type, click on the More button. An additional list will appear on the screen. To search within all asset types, leave this field blank.
  • Asset Status: select the Status of the assets to be included in the search. You must select at least one Status from the list for the search to work. To select multiple values, hold down either the Shift or Ctrl key on the keyboard and select additional Statuses.

Search Locations

This section allows you to specify which part of the system to search in. The Search Locations section of the Global Search and Replace screen is shown in the figure below.

The Search Location section of the Global Search and Replace screen
The Search Locations section

The fields available are as follows: 

  • Root Node: to search only within a certain section of your system, for example your Site, select the parent asset of that section in this field.
  • System Wide: alternatively, you can check this box to search the entire system.

You need to enter either the Root Node or select System Wide for the search to work.

Global Search and Replace Example

To perform a global search and replace, follow the steps outlined below.

  1. Enter the term or phrase you want to search for in the Search String field.
  2. Enter the term or phrase that will replace the searched term in the Replace String field.
  3. Select the asset type to search in the Asset Types to search field. If you want to search within all asset types leave this field blank.
  4. Select the type of Status the asset must be to be included in the search. You need to select at least one Status from the list for the search and replace to work.
  5. Select either a Root Node to search in (for example, your Site) or search system wide. You need to select at least one option for the search and replace to work.
  6. Click Commit. A HIPO job will appear in the editing screen, as shown in the figure below.

    The Global Search and Replace HIPO Progress Job
    The Global Search and Replace HIPO Progress Job

    If an asset has been found that contains the search term, it will be listed in the HIPO Job, For example, in the figure shown above, the Newsletter and the News assets contain the searched term. To find where in the asset the term has been found, click on the black arrow next to the name of the asset. Squiz Matrix will highlight where it found the term, as shown in the below.

    The search results highlighted on the Global Search and Replace HIPO Progress Job
    Highlighted Search Terms on the HIPO Job

  7. Select which occurrences you want to replace by clicking on the box on the right side. If you want to replace all occurrences, click on the Select All hyperlink located at either the top or bottom of the screen.
  8. Once you have selected which occurrences to replace, click the Next>> button. The HIPO Job will continue and the search and replace will happen for the assets you selected on the previous screen. If you no longer want to perform the search and replace click the Cancel button.

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