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# Search

To start a search, simply enter the desired search pattern, e.g. the file name in the search field, optionally with the word `name:` in front of it.

Search for file extensions: If you want to search for a file extension, precede the search term ext: or extension:, for example: `ext:txt`.

Search for file types: If you want to search for a file type, precede the search term group: before the search term, for example: `filetype:Video Files`.

Search by file content: If you want to search for file content, precede the search term cont: or content: before the search term, for example: `cont:license`.

Search by file size: If you want to limit the search to a certain file sizes, you can specify a minimum and / or maximum size, for example: `size:< 500MB` and/or : `size:> 5MB`

Combine search terms: If you want to combine several search terms, write AND or OR between both search terms, for example: `readme OR manual`. More information and examples can be found in the following chapter Search syntax.

Information on full-text search:

Pure text files and IFilter

UltraSearch can search plain text files very quickly for a specific search term by traversing and analyzing them at file system level. All common character encodings like ASCII, Unicode or UTF-8 are supported.

To be able to search even complex file types like Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, UltraSearch uses the so-called IFilter interface, which is provided by the operating system. Third-party applications can also provide their own treatment routines that can be used to read certain file formats. Many file formats, such as the usual office formats, are already handled by the operating system’s own routines.

Other formats, such as PDF, can be read using filters that are automatically registered during the installation of a PDF viewer. These are then also available for use in UltraSearch.

Upper and lower case

All search types (searching by file name, file type or file contents) ignore any differences in upper and lower case. The search is ‘case insensitive’. UltraSearch uses the corresponding character set table, which is defined by the current regional settings.