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Search and Filter in Explorer

From Explorer, you can search for the different types of Objects in the catalog:

  • Datasets
  • Visualizations
  • Data Processes
  • Glossary Items
  • Organization-specific custom Items (e.g., Applications, Entities, etc.)

The Search Engine

The search engine uses a fuzzy search algorithm, which facilitates exploration. In other words, it will try to find all the Objects that correspond exactly to the keywords provided and those that correspond to keywords close to those entered. In particular, this method allows you to be permissive concerning any typos in the search words or object content, such as in the description.

Search Engine Drop-Down Menu

When you click on the search bar, a drop-down menu appears:

  • Search suggestions based on your recent activity or that of other users
  • A list of advanced search operators:
    • "INFIELD:": Allows you to limit the search to information specific to the Fields in your Datasets
    • "AND": Allows you to search for Objects matching all keywords

Filters

On the results page, you can use filters to refine your search and reduce the number of results returned.

Different filters are proposed by default:

  • Item Type: The type(s) of Items in the catalog (Datasets, Visualizations, etc.)
  • Data Source: System from where Items have been harvested
  • Lifecycle stage: Search for items based on one or more lifecycle stages.
  • Quality level: Data quality status (for Datasets only when information is available)
  • Contacts: Contacts associated with the Items (Data Steward, Data Owner, etc.).
  • Implemented: Custom and glossary Items that are used to define or categorize other items (Yes/No)

Depending on the configuration performed by your administrators filters specific to your organization may also be proposed.

Filters are dynamically updated and sorted according to their relevance and impact on your search.

Sorting the Results

On the results page, you can use the Sort by menu to sort the search results.

The following sorting options are available:

  • Relevance: Displays items that best match your search terms. This option is available only when a search query is entered.
  • Popularity: Displays the most frequently used assets first, based on catalog-wide activity such as item views and favorites.
  • Name (A-Z): Sorts items alphabetically in ascending order.
  • Name (Z-A): Sorts items alphabetically in descending order.

When you browse the catalog without entering a search query, Popularity is the default sorting option. When you enter a search query, Relevance is the default sorting option. You can change the sorting option at any time using the Sort by menu.

Search Results

The following information is displayed for each result corresponding to your search:

  • Name
  • Source
  • Start of description
  • Main properties (as defined by your administrators)
  • Associated Glossary Items. If the Item doesn't have its definition and is associated with a single Glossary Item, the latter's description is used.

For Datasets, the quality status is also included.

Item Overviews

On the results page, you can click on each result to open its overview panel and access the Item's main information. You can also navigate to other Items within this overview panel without losing your search context.

Recurring information on the overview panel includes, among others :

  • Technical name
  • Source metadata
  • Associated contacts
  • Related Glossary Items

For more information about Actian Data Intelligence query language, see Actian Data Intelligence Query Language.