Filters — saved search, always available
In step 10, you used a Find window to locate programs matching properties which you specified. At the time it was just a temporary window that let you quickly find the program you needed for your new product definition. Using the same basic interface, you can save a search as a filter, and then apply it to a main window whenever you would like.
First, select “Programs” from the “Windows” menu. This will open the main window, which by default shows programs that are in products. Notice on the left hand side the sections labeled Status, Folders, and Filters. The check-marks next to various lines let you reduce the number of items displayed in the Programs window. For example, by default there are check-marks next to “Application” and “Utility” but not “Ignored”. If you click the check-mark next to “Application”, this will hide all the Application programs, leaving you looking at just the small handful of programs which are Utilities. Click the double-check mark to the right of “Display” to show all programs without any filtering.
30. Create a Program Filter
With the cursor in the Programs window, right-click in white space within the Filters pane. Select “New Filter...” from the context menu. You will see a window that is very similar to the one you used to find Calculator. One key difference is that there is a “Filter Name” field at the top where you specify a permanent name for this saved filter. We already know what a filter for Calculator will show us. Let's make this filter at least slightly more interesting. Check “Variant Name” again, but type ”Microsoft” (if you used Windows KeyAccess) or “Apple” (if you used Mac KeyAccess). Type a name for the filter, then either Save from the menu, or click Apply. You will see a longer list of programs which match the filter.
Now close the Filter window and look on the left side of the Programs window. You will see your new filter name listed. If you click to the left of it, this will show a check-mark, and will make the main Programs window display just the matches for the filter, instead of all programs. Note that selected conditions from different sections of the left hand side must all be satisfied simultaneously – potentially reducing the number of items displayed (that is, a program must satisfy the Status criteria AND the Filter criteria). The double-check-mark at the top of the Programs window between Display and program list columns is used to toggle between displaying all records and displaying your last set of custom selectors. For more on Filters, importing Example filters, and rules, see the Filters documentation.