PLM Quick Reference: Searching in PTC Windchill

Arguably the most important topic to learn about in any Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system is how to locate your product data quickly and accurately for design work, viewing, or analysis purposes. If you’re using PTC Windchill after using other PLM systems’ searching tools or just want a refresher on the ways to search in PTC Windchill, below you will find an overview of the 5 searching tools and options to help you locate your PLM and CAD data objects in Windchill.  

The tools are: 

1. Browse Folders 

2. Search in table 

3. Keyword/Global Search 

4. Advanced Search 

5. Saving Searches 

Examples of where each tool is accessed within Windchill are shown in the image below. 

Note: Wildcards such as * and ? can be used in your Keyword and Advanced searches. The * (asterisk) represents any character(s) (e.g., panel*.drw). The ? (question mark) represents a single character (e.g., panel?.drw). 

1. Browse Folders 

Navigate your Product, Library, Change, and Project folders to locate Windchill objects. 

2. Search in table 

Search a keyword in a table, such as a Folder Contents or Search Results table. Using the Search in table functionality in a Search Results table enables you to refine a search. 

3. Keyword/Global Search  

This search is like a Google search. You can perform keyword searches on your Windchill database content and attributes to which you have access. An object type can be provided to further filter the search results. Note that searching object content requires the Windchill Index Search to be installed and configured. 

4. Advanced Search 

If browsing the folder structure or using the Keyword/Global search does not provide you with what you need to narrow your search, you can use the Advanced Search in the Search tab. Searches by keyword, object type, context, and attribute criteria are available to define what you are looking for, as shown in the image below. 

5. Saving Searches 

Once you have received the search results from a Keyword or Advanced search, you can save the search criteria so that you can perform the search again. The Search Results and Criteria used for both Keyword and Advanced searches display in the Search Results table on the Advanced Search page along with Edit Search Criteria and Start a New Search, as shown in the image below. 

To run a saved search, select Search History and Saved Searches from the Search tab, then select the saved search in the Saved Searches list. 

All the best to locating your objects in Windchill quickly! 

About the Author

Product Lead – Learning Content Development<br><br>Barb's primary responsibilities include the design, development, and project management of courseware for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) products such as Autodesk Vault, Autodesk Fusion Lifecycle, ENOVIA V6, and PTC Windchill. Her work also involves the development of custom training that is designed and configured to an organization’s specific environment, processes, and roles. Barb is a Professional Engineer and holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and trained in Instructional Design.

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