Searching the LILAC 3 Database

A great deal of the powerful database access provided within LILAC 3 is associated with the searching functions.

A search field is indicated by its background colour. A dark blue field is a search and entry field, and a pale blue field is a search only field.

They behave quite similarly. The difference is that a search only field (pale blue field) only permits an existing database key to be selected, whereas a search and entry field (dark blue field) permits you to type brand new data in the field. For example the product code field is a search only field in the Sales Order document, but is a search and entry field in the Purchase Order document.

There are two ways to invoke the LILAC 3 search engine:

1)    With the keyboard caret flashing in a blue field (either dark or pale), strike the F12 key on the top row of the keyboard.
2)    Move the mouse cursor over a blue field (either dark or pale) and click the right mouse button.

The search window will open as a subsidiary window to the LILAC 3 window. It has a vertical scroll to permit easy access to a large range of database entries via the mouse or using the keyboard. (see keyboard table below) 

Highlight one of the available database entries and strike the Enter key (or by clicking the highlighted area with the left mouse button).  This will enter the entry (which was highlighted) and the search window will exit. 

To abort a search operation without changing the original entry simply click the left mouse button somewhere outside the search window, or close the search window by clicking (the left mouse button) on the X button at the top left corner.

The Search Window also responds to a natural set of keyboard operations as follows.