Search with Punctuation

General discussion related to "Everything".
Post Reply
Nancy_Widmore
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2023 10:57 pm

Search with Punctuation

Post by Nancy_Widmore »

Hello , is there is away to search around Punctuation

for example

i have 3 dupe folders or files for EXAMPLE iF I search for

AAA_BBB_ZZZ

RESULT ONLY SHOWS

AAA_BBB_ZZZ

However there is also file named

AAA BBB ZZZ

and

AAA.BBB.ZZZ

and

AAA-BBB-ZZZ

i want to be able to search for same file names and the ignore all Punctuation or search around it and everything tool will make it looks like space

because when i search for names with space all result does show up

please help , thanks in advance.
void
Developer
Posts: 16680
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by void »

Search for:

AAA BBB ZZZ

Instead of:

AAA_BBB_ZZZ



If you are pasting this text, please try Everything 1.5 and use Ctrl + Shift + V to paste without punctuation.
Nancy_Widmore
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2023 10:57 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by Nancy_Widmore »

Yes i use copy and paste sometimes

but how about the advanced search with text file ?

is there is an option to be add to the search tab under ignore Punctuation and be called paste avoid Punctuation or something a like

because ignore Punctuation does not work for paste ?

thanks.
void
Developer
Posts: 16680
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by void »

Please consider the following filter:
  • In Everything 1.5, from the Search menu, click Add to filters....
  • Change the Name to:
    Remove Punctuation
  • Change the Search to:
    #[regex-replace:#[:search:#]:,"[`~!@#$%^&*()\-=_+{}|\[\]\\;':,./<>?\x22\x00-\x1f]"," "#]:
  • Change the Macro to:
    removepunc<search>
  • Click OK.
Filters can be activated from the Search menu, Filter bar (View -> Filters), right clicking the status bar, filter macro or filter keyboard shortcut.

Please note: search operators and path separators will be converted to spaces when this filter is active.



To always remove punctuation when pasting text (not recommended):
  • In Everything 1.5, from the Tools menu, click Options.
  • Click the Advanced tab on the left.
  • To the right of Show settings containing, search for:
    paste
  • Select search_edit_paste_format.
  • Set the value to:
    <regex-replace:<regex-replace:$newtext:,"[`~!@#$%^&*()\-=_+{}|\[\]\\;':,./<>?\x22\x00-\x1f]"," ">," +"," ">
  • Click OK.


I will consider a ignore punctuation in search option.

Thank you for the suggestion.
Last edited by void on Tue Aug 15, 2023 12:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
A7A
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2023 12:38 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by A7A »

i dont want to open a new post so here is 2 question

If pasting this text, please try Everything 1.5 and use Ctrl + Shift + V to paste without punctuation. not sure why this isn't working

this is not working for me using the latest alpha version

i tried ignore punctuation checked on and off

also when i try the add filter
and paste a text

regex-replace:JPEG1 2023 ," +"," "]

These are shown inside the search bar however there is result but not showing using this method

please help
Last edited by A7A on Mon Aug 14, 2023 1:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
void
Developer
Posts: 16680
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by void »

Thank you for your post A7A,

Ctrl + Shift + V will only work when the search box has focus.



I missed the starting < in the format, please try:

<regex-replace:<regex-replace:$newtext:,"[`~!@#$%^&*()\-=_+{}|\[\]\\;':,./<>?\x22\x00-\x1f]"," ">," +"," ">
A7A
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2023 12:38 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by A7A »

void wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 12:18 am
Ctrl + Shift + V will only work when the search box has focus.
thank you for the time and coding , not sure how to make the search box has focus ?
void
Developer
Posts: 16680
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by void »

To focus the search box, click on the search box.

When the search box has focus the flashing caret should appear.
A7A
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2023 12:38 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by A7A »

void wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 3:44 am To focus the search box, click on the search box.

When the search box has focus the flashing caret should appear.
1- I also have problem with the control+ shift + V

it dont work even with focus search box

using latest version of alpha version
Everything-1.5.0.1355a.x64

sometimes it works but sometimes it shows . and - and it's not supposed to do that i tried ignore Punctuation on and off
and still showing Punctuation.

--------------

2 - I did used the

<regex-replace:<regex-replace:$newtext:,"[`~!@#$%^&*()\-=_+{}|\[\]\\;':,./<>?\x22\x00-\x1f]"," ">," +"," ">

and still not working , filter is active , Punctuation on and off , still showing

if im searching for

25.pal.x64_portable

still paste with dots and _

im lost not sure what to do anymore
Last edited by A7A on Sat Aug 19, 2023 4:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
NotNull
Posts: 5458
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 9:22 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by NotNull »

Please use more interpunction (oh, the irony ;-) ) and capitalization in your message.
It is hard to follow in its current form ...
A7A
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2023 12:38 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by A7A »

NotNull wrote: Sat Aug 19, 2023 8:39 am Please use more interpunction (oh, the irony ;-) ) and capitalization in your message.
It is hard to follow in its current form ...
Sorry i didn't learn this at the school , i will try but right now i dont understand your answer , what to do if the paste control shift V not working
NotNull
Posts: 5458
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 9:22 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by NotNull »

  • In Everything 1.5, enable Ignore Punctuation (to be found under the Search menu entry )
  • Copy the following text to the clipboard:

    Code: Select all

    notepad......exe
  • Back in Everything, click in the search bar to make it active (the cursor will blink)
  • Press keyboard shortcut 'CTRL + SHIFT + V' to paste the text that is currently on the clipboard ( "notepad......exe" ), but without any punctuation characters.
    The search bar should now show notepad exe and should find notepad.exe
A7A
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2023 12:38 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by A7A »

NotNull wrote: Sat Aug 19, 2023 2:26 pm
  • In Everything 1.5, enable Ignore Punctuation (to be found under the Search menu entry )
  • Copy the following text to the clipboard:

    Code: Select all

    notepad......exe
  • Back in Everything, click in the search bar to make it active (the cursor will blink)
  • Press keyboard shortcut 'CTRL + SHIFT + V' to paste the text that is currently on the clipboard ( "notepad......exe" ), but without any punctuation characters.
    The search bar should now show notepad exe and should find notepad.exe

I did that tried many times , sometimes it works sometimes it dont , if i use everything app alot it dont work or when i open multi everything

something i just dont understand going on wrong
NotNull
Posts: 5458
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 9:22 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by NotNull »

A7A wrote: Sat Aug 19, 2023 5:18 pm sometimes it works sometimes it dont
Please describe "it doesn't work": what was on the clipboard, what is shown in the search bar?, what is shown in the result list? Do you get an error message?

Make sure only the Everything entry is enabled under the Search menu (i.e. no Match Path, etc. )
A7A
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2023 12:38 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by A7A »

NotNull wrote: Sat Aug 19, 2023 6:16 pm
A7A wrote: Sat Aug 19, 2023 5:18 pm sometimes it works sometimes it dont
Please describe "it doesn't work": what was on the clipboard, what is shown in the search bar?, what is shown in the result list? Do you get an error message?

Make sure only the Everything entry is enabled under the Search menu (i.e. no Match Path, etc. )
I'm explaining now again , i want everything to show result for all folders and files under

25 pal x64 portable
the name i have in one folder is

25.pal.x64_portable


when i click control shift V it will paste it with dots and _ . sometimes it does paste without it but i dont change any setting that's why im going crazy over it

i even removed the app installed older version still not working and if i searched for

25.pal.x64_portable


it will show me exact thing not the files or folder that have no dots or _

is it clear now ?
void
Developer
Posts: 16680
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by void »

Where are you copying the "25.pal.x64_portable" text from?

Ctrl+Shift+V will only work if "25.pal.x64_portable" is on the clipboard as "text".
Ctrl+Shift+V will not work if you copy the file (the actual file -not the filename text) -nothing will be pasted in this case, so I'm not sure this is happening, as you say "25.pal.x64_portable" is being pasted



Are you pasting multiple lines of text?
If so, Everything will split each line into an OR operation.
For example:
<line one>|<line two>|<line three>|<etc>




I would need to see debug logs to work out what is going on..
  • In Everything, from the Tools menu, under the Debug submenu, check Verbose.
  • In Everything, from the Tools menu, under the Debug submenu, check Start Debug Logging.
    ---
    Press Ctrl + Shift + V in the Everything search box.
    keep trying until you see text pasted with punctuation.
    ---
  • In Everything, from the Tools menu, under the Debug submenu, click Stop Debug Logging.
    The Everything Debug Log will open in Notepad.
  • Please save this file to the Desktop and send to support@voidtools.com
Privacy
A7A
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2023 12:38 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by A7A »

void wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 2:22 am Where are you copying the "25.pal.x64_portable" text from?

Ctrl+Shift+V will only work if "25.pal.x64_portable" is on the clipboard as "text".
Ctrl+Shift+V will not work if you copy the file (the actual file -not the filename text) -nothing will be pasted in this case, so I'm not sure this is happening, as you say "25.pal.x64_portable" is being pasted



Are you pasting multiple lines of text?
If so, Everything will split each line into an OR operation.
For example:
<line one>|<line two>|<line three>|<etc>




I would need to see debug logs to work out what is going on..
  • In Everything, from the Tools menu, under the Debug submenu, check Verbose.
  • In Everything, from the Tools menu, under the Debug submenu, check Start Debug Logging.
    ---
    Press Ctrl + Shift + V in the Everything search box.
    keep trying until you see text pasted with punctuation.
    ---
  • In Everything, from the Tools menu, under the Debug submenu, click Stop Debug Logging.
    The Everything Debug Log will open in Notepad.
  • Please save this file to the Desktop and send to support@voidtools.com
Privacy

I copy the names from Text files , from folders name using f2 or copyfilename software or i use everything to copy names

i also wish there is away to copy the parent dir of a file or of a folder like

MAIN\FOLDER\FILE.MP3 wish there is options just to copy the parent dir which is FOLDER

without edit the path after copying
void
Developer
Posts: 16680
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by void »

Thank you for the logs.

The issue has something to do with having a RTL and LTR keyboard installed and Ctrl + Shift changing the input from RTL/LTR.

Are you using the left or right Ctrl/Shift?



Please try changing the keyboard shortcut:
  • In Everything, from the Tools menu, click Options.
  • Click the Keyboard tab on the left.
  • To the right of Show commands containing, search for:
    paste
  • Select Search Edit | Paste Without Punctuation.
  • Click Edit....
  • Press a new keyboard shortcut (for example: Ctrl + Alt + V) and click OK.
  • Click OK.
Does the issue persist with this keyboard shortcut?



To prevent Ctrl + Shift from changing your input and layout:
  • In Everything 1.5, from the Tools menu, click Options.
  • Click the Advanced tab on the left.
  • To the right of Show settings containing, search for:
    control
  • Select control_shift_action.
  • Set the value to: None
  • Click OK.
A7A
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2023 12:38 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by A7A »

Hello , yes im using keyboard right to left and left to right to switch between 5 keyboard languages , i have to use them so now i set it up to

control alt v and it works great , thank you
Nancy_Widmore
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2023 10:57 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by Nancy_Widmore »

I think this would be better to have an option just to ignore all Punctuation when pasting no matter using CTRL SHIFT V Or just CTRL + V
void
Developer
Posts: 16680
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by void »

I will add an option to remove punctuation when pasting text and Search -> Ignore Punctuation is enabled.

Thank you for the suggestions.
void
Developer
Posts: 16680
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by void »

Everything 1.5.0.1356a adds an advanced setting to ignore punctuation in the search box when Ignore Punctuation is enabled under the Search menu.

To ignore punctuation in the search box when Ignore Punctuation is enabled under the Search menu:
  • In Everything 1.5, from the Tools menu, click Options.
  • Click the Advanced tab on the left.
  • To the right of Show settings containing, search for:
    punc
  • Select ignore_punctuation_type.
  • Set the value to: Filename and search
  • Click OK.
ignore_punctuation_type



Everything will continue to treat : / \ as path separators.
: / \ and are ignored when used with a search function that supports Ignore Punctuation.

For example:
name:a:bc\123
is the same as:
name:abc123



:a: == :a: awesome...
Raindrops
Posts: 247
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2023 10:04 am

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by Raindrops »

Will Everything join the strings on both sides of the punctuation, and form a new string?
In that case, this combined string won't be found, which means a false negative.

Instead, the punctuation should be replaced with a space.
That way, even if the actual file has both tokens on either side of the punctuation mark, it will be found.

That is how CTRL+SHFT+V works.
Raindrops
Posts: 247
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2023 10:04 am

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by Raindrops »

I have selected this option. But it does not work as expected.

The word "baarish" occurs in a few file names in my collection.

I tried to search for baarish and baa rish, both times all these files were found.
But when I entered baa,rish in the search box, the search could not find these files at all.
I removed the comma and the search found all files.
void
Developer
Posts: 16680
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by void »

I will look into converting punctuation to spaces.
(same as Ctrl + Shift + V)
-This might make it impossible to search for : / or \ in full paths.
Thank you for the suggestion.


But when I entered baa,rish in the search box, the search could not find these files at all.
baa,rish appears to find baarish here. (with just Ingore Punctuation checked)

Please try changing your search and applying ignore_punctuation_type.
The next alpha update will automatically refresh your search after changing this setting.
Do you have any other search options checked?
Raindrops
Posts: 247
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2023 10:04 am

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by Raindrops »

I had just followed the instructions and selected the "Filename and search" option for the Ignore_punctuation_type setting.
When I select the other option ("Filename only") and restart Everything, it cannot find any results for Baa,rish.

In other words, I get the same result regardless of the Ignore_punctuation_type setting.
Nancy_Widmore
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2023 10:57 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by Nancy_Widmore »

I just installed the latest Alpha version and when I search for

AAA_BBB

The results will be

AAA_BBB and AAA.BBB

However there is

AAA BBB

Can you please make it possible to treat Punctuation as space when pasting or feeding the search with a text from advanced search?

Thank you.
void
Developer
Posts: 16680
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by void »

Yes, the next alpha update will have an option to do this.

I'll have an update soon and will make another post here.

Thank you for the suggestion.
Raindrops
Posts: 247
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2023 10:04 am

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by Raindrops »

I hope the update addresses the issue I mentioned (3 posts before this one)
Raindrops
Posts: 247
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2023 10:04 am

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by Raindrops »

Raindrops wrote: Wed Sep 20, 2023 10:53 am I had just followed the instructions and selected the "Filename and search" option for the Ignore_punctuation_type setting.
When I select the other option ("Filename only") and restart Everything, it cannot find any results for Baa,rish.

In other words, I get the same result regardless of the Ignore_punctuation_type setting.
I hope this gets addressed in the new version!
void
Developer
Posts: 16680
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by void »

Everything 1.5.0.1357a fixes an issue with search_edit_paste_format.

Setting search_edit_paste_format to:
<regex-replace:<regex-replace:$newtext:,"[`~!@#$%^&*()\-=_+{}|\[\]\\;':,./<>?\x22\x00-\x1f]"," ">," +"," ">
should now work as expected.



ignore_punctuation_type=1 will now ignore all punctuation in the search box.
Raindrops
Posts: 247
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2023 10:04 am

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by Raindrops »

I upgraded to the Everything 1.5.0.1357a, and my punctuation type is set to "filename and search".

And yet Everything is unable to ignore punctuation, except space.

For example, I get several results when I search for Baarish and Baa rish (Everything ignores embedded space).

But I don't get any results with Baa,rish, Baari'sh, Ba=arish, Baaris;h, etc.
void
Developer
Posts: 16680
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by void »

Do you have regular expressions enabled under the Search menu?

-Please try disabling this option.



What search options are checked under the Search menu?
What is your active filter?
Raindrops
Posts: 247
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2023 10:04 am

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by Raindrops »

RegRx was not enabled at all.
In fact, none of the options are selected at present!
XToQeQq0vH.png
XToQeQq0vH.png (11.15 KiB) Viewed 24805 times
void
Developer
Posts: 16680
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by void »

Ignore Punctuation must be enabled under the Search menu.
Raindrops
Posts: 247
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2023 10:04 am

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by Raindrops »

Yes, it works! Thanks for the clarification.

BTW I found that Everything replaces the punctuation mark with a space. (it does not join the string on both sides of that punctuation mark).
This is in fact a good thing: Everything finds item names that have both substrings anywhere in the name.

For example, in my experiment, I inserted = in the middle of the search string Baarish.
Everything not only found items that have Baarish, but also items that have both baa and rish in their name.
donotbugme
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2017 10:33 am

Re: Search with Punctuation

Post by donotbugme »

You can use regular expressions to substitute any punctuation marks with a space or use wildcard characters to represent the punctuation marks. For instance,
Ex..

Code: Select all

AAA[_\.\s-]BBB[_\.\s-]ZZZ
Post Reply