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using windows xp, can i do a global search for a word in a word processing file? i am using wordperfect office 2000. for example, i want to search for the last name mcdonald on all the files on my a drive.

Optional Information:
OS: Windows XP; Browser: Mozilla

Already Tried:
I've already stated what I've tried. I have not gone on Net--there's no reason to do so. I need to search within my operating system!

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $8

Windows does not include this functionality, however there is a utility that you can download for free which will do it. It's called Windows Grep, referring to the grep search command from UNIX.

http://www.wingrep.com/download.htm

Download and install the software. Then right-click on the folder you want to search, and you can specify the string you're looking for, as well as what type of files to search. To search all files, use "*.*". There's also a wizard to help you find what you need, if you prefer that. You can also specify to replace a string with another string.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you need anything else, and don't forget to click Accept. Thanks!

Reply to Ashley's Post: Okay, I downloaded software @wingrep.com. I just tried going to "my computer" and searching my a:\ drive for a donor's last name, which I know is contained in at least one of the files on that drive. I still got same old reply, "Search is complete. There are no results to display."

What happens now?

What type of files are these (.doc, .xls, .txt, etc)? Can you send me a screen shot of all the options you chose for the search? I'm wondering if perhaps it didn't look at the right file types. Did you enter *.* as the file type?

Also, did you check "Match Case" or "Whole words only"? That could be a problem. Make sure you specify to search for "Regular Expressions", and that there aren't any leading or trailing spaces on your search term (e.g. "search " or " search" instead of "search").

And, another thing just occurred to me. Did you use the Windows Grep search, or the normal Windows search? You'll want to be sure to search using the Windows Grep software. If you right-click on your "a:" drive, there should be an option labelled "Windows Grep". Choose that, and it will ask you to enter your search terms, file type, etc. If you search through the normal windows search, you will not see any results. Here's a picture of what the Windows Grep search window should look like to find "mcdonald" on your A:\ drive.

Images available only to Customers.

Edited by duncana on April 10 2006 at 5:59 PM

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