File Explorer - advanced search methods

Summary

This video tutorial demonstrates how to effectively search for specific MATLAB files within the Dropbox folder using the file explorer's advanced search options. The presenter guides viewers on filtering by file extensions (e.g., .m for MATLAB code and .mlapp for MATLAB applications), refining the search within a specific folder (eLearning), and narrowing down results by date (e.g., files modified after the start of 2017). The video highlights the power of using search syntax to efficiently locate files and provides a useful resource for those managing large file collections.

Takeaways

• 😀 The user is searching for lost MATLAB files within their Dropbox folder.
• 🔍 Initially, the user tries searching for files with 'dot M' but realizes this method is too broad, capturing unrelated files.
• 📁 The user then uses the 'ext:' search syntax to specifically look for files with '.m' and '.mlapp' extensions.
• 📝 It's important to omit the dot when using the 'ext:' syntax to avoid including other file types like '.mod' or '.fem'.
• 🔎 The user refines the search by enclosing 'M' in quotes to ensure the search engine understands it's looking for the specific file type.
• 📚 The search results include both MATLAB code files and MATLAB application files, which are identified by their respective extensions.
• 📁 The user narrows down the search by adding a 'folder:' parameter to look within a specific 'eLearning' folder.
• 🗓 To further refine the search, the user applies a 'date' parameter to find files modified since the beginning of 2017.
• 📅 The 'date' parameter uses a 'greater than' syntax to find files modified after a certain date, in this case, '2017'.
• 📁 The final search results are narrowed down to 40 items, indicating a successful and precise search within the specified parameters.
• 📘 The user suggests that additional search parameters and boolean operations can be found in a Microsoft document for more advanced searches.

Q & A

What is the main issue the user is trying to solve in the script?

The user is trying to locate MATLAB files that were created some time ago but have been lost within their Dropbox folder.

Why does typing 'dot M' in the search not yield the desired results?

Typing 'dot M' returns all files associated with 'M', including those with 'M' in the title or extension, which is not specific enough for MATLAB files.

What is the correct syntax to search for a specific file extension in the script?

The correct syntax is 'ext:', which turns blue to indicate that the system is expecting an extension.

Why does the user need to put 'M' between quotes in the search?

Placing 'M' between quotes helps the search tool understand that the user is specifically looking for files with the 'M' extension, excluding other files that may contain 'M' in their names or other attributes.

What is the file extension for MATLAB application files mentioned in the script?

The file extension for MATLAB application files is 'mlapp'.

How does the user combine the search for MATLAB code files and MATLAB application files?

The user combines the search by using the 'or' operator in the search query, specifying both 'M' and 'mlapp' extensions.

What parameter does the user add to the search to narrow down the results to a specific folder?

The user adds 'folder:' followed by the name of the folder, 'eLearning', to narrow down the search.

What method does the user employ to filter the search results by date?

The user uses the 'date' parameter with a 'greater than' syntax to specify a starting date from the beginning of 2017.

How does the user interpret the search results in terms of file types?

The user checks the 'type' column in the search results to differentiate between MATLAB code files, MATLAB application files, and other file types.

What resource does the user recommend for further understanding of search parameters and boolean operations?

The user recommends searching online for a Microsoft document that details all the parameters and boolean operations for file searching.

What is the final outcome of the user's search after applying all the filters?

The final outcome is a narrowed down list of 40 items that are specific to the user's project, starting from the beginning of 2017.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Finding Lost MATLAB Files in Dropbox

The speaker discusses the challenge of locating old MATLAB files within a large Dropbox folder. Initially, they try searching for files with the 'dot M' extension but quickly realize this method is too broad, as it returns irrelevant results. They then refine the search using the 'ext:' syntax to look specifically for 'M' files, which includes MATLAB code files and MATLAB application files with the '.m' and '.mpp' extensions. The search is further refined by adding a folder parameter to narrow down the results to files within an 'eLearning' folder, and then by applying a date filter to find files modified after the beginning of 2017. The process is described as powerful and useful, with the speaker highlighting the importance of using the correct search syntax and parameters to effectively locate files.

Keywords

💡MATLAB files

MATLAB files refer to the script and function files created using the MATLAB programming environment, which is widely used for numerical computing, data analysis, and visualization. In the video, the creator is searching for these files within the Dropbox folder, indicating that they are essential for their work but have been misplaced.

💡Dropbox folder

A Dropbox folder is a storage location within the Dropbox cloud service, where users can save, sync, and share files across devices. In the context of the video, the Dropbox folder is the general area where the MATLAB files are believed to be stored, emphasizing the reliance on cloud storage for file management.

💡File Explorer

File Explorer is a file management tool in Windows operating systems that allows users to browse, search, and manage files and folders. The video script describes using File Explorer to initiate the search for MATLAB files, highlighting its role in navigating and organizing files on a computer.

💡File search

File search is the process of locating specific files within a computer system using search criteria. The video demonstrates various techniques for conducting a file search, such as using file extensions and folder names, to find the misplaced MATLAB files.

💡File extension

A file extension is the suffix at the end of a file name that indicates the type of the file, often associated with the software used to open it. In the script, the creator uses the '.m' and '.mlapp' extensions to narrow down the search for MATLAB code and application files, respectively.

💡Syntax

Syntax refers to the set of rules governing the structure of data and instructions in a programming or markup language. In the context of the video, the creator explains the syntax used in the search function to specify file extensions and other search parameters, which is crucial for accurately finding the desired files.

💡Boolean operations

Boolean operations are logical operations used in computing to combine search criteria, such as 'AND', 'OR', and 'NOT'. The video mentions using Boolean operations to refine the search for MATLAB files, allowing the creator to find files that meet multiple conditions.

💡Date modified

Date modified refers to the timestamp when a file was last altered. In the script, the creator uses the 'date modified' parameter to further narrow down the search to files changed since the beginning of 2017, which helps in locating files related to a specific project timeline.

💡Search parameters

Search parameters are the specific criteria used to filter and find items in a search query. The video provides examples of search parameters such as 'ext:', 'folder:', and 'date:', which are used to define the scope and refine the search results for the MATLAB files.

💡eLearning

eLearning refers to the use of electronic media and information and communication technologies in education. In the video, the creator specifies an 'eLearning' folder as a search parameter, indicating that the MATLAB files are related to educational content or projects.

💡Microsoft document

A Microsoft document typically refers to a file created using Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. In the video, the creator mentions a Microsoft document that details all the search parameters and Boolean operations, suggesting it as a resource for users to learn more about advanced file search techniques.

Highlights

Searching for MATLAB files within the Dropbox folder using file explorer and search tools.

Using the dot (.) M extension to search for MATLAB files, but finding irrelevant results.

Utilizing the 'ext:' syntax to accurately search for file extensions.

Finding a large number of files with the 'M' extension, including non-MATLAB files.

Quoting 'M' to narrow down the search to specifically MATLAB files.

Searching for both MATLAB code files ('.m') and MATLAB application files ('.mlapp') using boolean search.

Using the 'type:' parameter to filter the search results by file type.

Adding the 'folder:' parameter to search within a specific folder, such as 'eLearning'.

Reducing the search results by specifying a date range using the 'date:' parameter.

Using 'greater than' syntax to find files modified after a certain date.

Identifying the project start date as the beginning of 2017 to further refine the search.

Finalizing the search to find 40 relevant files related to the project.

Highlighting the power and usefulness of advanced search syntax in file explorer.

Encouraging users to refer to Microsoft documentation for more search parameters and boolean operations.

Providing a practical example of how to efficiently locate lost files using file explorer search features.

Transcripts

now the scenario I'm going to look at in

this file search is that I've created

some MATLAB files some time ago but I've

no clue where they are lost track of

them I know there's somewhere within my

Dropbox folder but that's basically

about it so if we come to file explorer

here and using the search tools and we

can say search Dropbox and the first

idea might be just to say type in dot M

which is the extension of the MATLAB

type of files if we do that unfortunate

what we find is that it's showing us

what it's found everything associated

with M so anything in the M in the title

in the extension will be found so that's

not really what we want to do so let's

just kill that search let's try again

this time within the search option

there's the ability to search for

extension now the syntax here is ext :

and that turns blue which means what we

got it right is now expecting to see an

extension so now if I type in M notice I

don't need the dot M it's going to go

off and find unfortunately not just dot

M but for example mod fem which is a fee

map model file and I've got a 1808 items

it's found down in here and now it's

trumped up to 3225 as it's finished the

search and buried away down in here if I

go and look at the type I've got dot mp4

I've got all sorts so there's a right

old mixture in there so I want to be

able to identify that a little bit more

carefully and put in M between quotes

and now it understands I'm looking for

those files the M files so it's fun

under 21 so far it's still searching and

it will find more now these are the

MATLAB code files as it calls it here

but in addition it's actually now

finished it's found 488 I also want to

find the MATLAB application files and

these are a ml a PP extension so I can

say find either the code files or I put

another quotes I say MATLAB application

and it's going to find either of those

so it's like a binary search of those

now I've got that slightly wrong I've

still got to repeat the extension so now

it's being it's searching correctly for

M

extension M for extension ml a PP and if

I do the type on there and at the top

I've got the applications MATLAB

applications I've actually got a data

file as well and then I've got the

MATLAB code file so that's done a good

job of finding all those specific types

of file now it's still 501 items for

e-learning work I work in a folder

called eLearning

so I can add that as another type so

another parameter in there so folder

colon and then the name of the folder

what it's done is to strip out and find

anything with an e-learning folder in it

I'm working in Dropbox it's gone down

the folder hierarchy until it's found

something he learning then everything

below that has been found so that's very

useful we don't have to put the full

string in if within the folder we're

searching and there's a subfolder called

mr. Casey learning and that's great so

I'm getting there just 325 items now now

I remember I started this project to the

beginning of 2017 so what I can do is I

can use the date controls which we could

find for example date modified but it's

just a little bit more powerful if we

say date again is another parameter

again it recognizes it and it's asking

for a date range or some useful ideas

maybe last year would work but I want to

be quickly put in a from a particular

date so if I put in greater than the

syntax here means greater than a number

typically in this particular case later

than the equivalent date number dates

are converted into an integer number so

if I say bigger than and never say first

or the first and I just need 17 in here

everything from beginning of 2017 will

be found but there it's found it and now

I'm down to 40 items is finished

searching so that's pretty well defined

exactly where my my project is going to

be so with folders that go astray this

kind of syntax again very very powerful

very very useful but if you search

online you'll find a Microsoft document

which details all of the parameters and

the boolean operations and so on I hope

this has been useful it certainly helped

me get back quickly to where my file