Re: Windows Explorer search file contents not working on .sql files.

dba_222_at_yahoo.com wrote:

> (snip)
> My new XP Pro laptop was recently configured for me.
> After installing Teradata SQL Assistant, the .SQL files
> were opening with that. But, that was not what I wanted
> to use. In Windows, I like to use wordpad.
>
> I work with Oracle scripts, with the suffix: .SQL.
> There are hundreds of them.
>
> Like most people, I often forget which file contains what.
> So, I usually use Windows Explorer search to find the file.
> If I know that the file is concerning GV$PROCESS, I just use
> windows explorer to search all files for that keyword.
> Usually this works fine.
>
> But, explorer doesn't find a thing in any one of my .SQL files.
> Not even the SELECT keyword, which is in almost ALL of them.
> (snip)

Hi,

The search function in Windows XP filters out files to search in based on file extensions (list can be manipulated, see further below).

My suggestion:

Install the free Agent Ransack, it searches for text strings in *all* types of files, and not just in a selection of "approved" file extensions as the built-in search does. It's a *much* better search tool as well...

Download it from here:
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/default.aspx

Agent Ransack can save the search result to a file (or clipboard), as text, comma separated text or tab separated text. E.g. Excel reads comma separated text (csv) very well.

When searching for text inside files, Agent Ransack is also able to do a preview of the lines the text was found in (just do a single click on the found file).
Also, you can use regular expression on both the file name part and the find text in files part.

If you still want to use the not so good search tool that comes with WinXP to search for text in files, take a look at this:

Using the "A Word or Phrase in the File" Search Criterion May Not Work http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;309173

Or this:

Add Files to Containing text Searches
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_fix_search.htm

-- 
torgeir, Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of
the 1328 page Scripting Guide:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/default.mspx