Search + advanced search

The search box text entry field allows users to search for content across the application using keywords. The entry field includes a type-ahead feature (for worksets and cost objects in the RAFT application). Users can select from the drop-down of suggested results and navigate to that page, or users can click Enter to submit their search query. The Enter key takes them to a separate search results page with a complete list of results.

The search field uses the magnifying glass icon as an indicator of its function.

The Advanced Search hyperlink appears in Source Sans, Light Orange, 13 pt, underlined. The link opens a new page with a complete list of fields again which the user can search. The advanced search fields are selected from the list of available data within the particular application.

Code

<a href="" id="adv_search_link">Advanced Search</a>

<input type="text" id="quick_search_value" class="variable light color-text1 color-background1 pull-left ui-autocomplete-input" title="Type here to search for a Workset, Cost Object or Person" autocomplete="off">


<span role="status" aria-live="polite" class="ui-helper-hidden-accessible"></span>
<span id="search_icon" class="raft-icon search v0 color-background1 pull-left"></span>
<a href="" id="adv_search_link" class="span4 no-user-select pull-left variable semi-bold color-link1">Advanced

					Search</a>

Example

Problem

When web sites and applications include large-scale data, it's important to give users an opportunity to navigate through the content hierarchy (typically through a persistent navigation feature) and to search. Most sites offer users both methods for discovering content. The MIT-BI applications should allow both browse and search options when a hierarchy exists. In addition, simple keyword search may not be robust enough for the kind of searching required in the DM-BI applications. For instance, searching within a date-limited set is a common use case.

Solution

Usability research shows that most users prefer a Google style single text entry field for basic keyword search. In the case of RAFT, advanced search is required for users to find specific worksets and cost objects within profit centers and time periods, etc.

We provide both a simple keyword search with the type-ahead feature to reduce the typing burden. Users need only type three characters before the site provides suggestions from which to select. And we provide the advanced search for searching use cases that are complex, i.e., cannot be handled with keyword search and require more options for users.

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