Searching in Directory Groups
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You can create arbitrary directory groups and save them for later use in the Search > Find in Files dialog box.
The Find in Files dialog box allows you to specify your search target using three entry fields:
- File mask -- the file name to match. You can use wildcards such as
my*.c??
. - Directories -- the path or paths to search. This can be any of the following:
- A single directory
- A list of directories, separated by semicolons (;).
- A named directory group (a list of commonly searched directories that you create and name).
- In the Directories field in the Search > Find in Files dialog box, names of directory groups are prefixed with an at-sign (@), such as @MySearchDir.
- Subdirectory exclude mask -- the subdirectories that should be excluded during the search.
To create and populate a directory group, and add it to Find in Files
- On the Find in Files dialog box, click (Folders and Groups) located next to the Directories field.
- The Select Directories dialog box opens. Click (New directory group).
- On the New Directory Group dialog box, enter a name for the directory group you are creating, and click OK. On the Select Directories dialog box, your directory group name now appears in the Group name field.
- In the Group contents field, enter directory names by doing either of the following:
- Repeat the previous step as many times as necessary to complete the directory group you want.
- Verify that the directory names in Group contents are valid: Click the associated button (Remove Invalid Paths) to remove all invalid directory names.
- Click (Add group to directory list) to move the contents of the directory group up to the Directories to search field (the upper pane of the Select Directories dialog box).
- Verify that the directory list in Directories to search is valid and contains only directories you want to include in the search:
- To add all the directories and directory groups listed in Directories to search to the Find in Files dialog box, click OK.