Enhanced search in data modules
Until this release, you could search for data module objects only by their labels. Starting with Cognos® Analytics 12.0.4, multiple properties can be used in this search.
The properties that can be used to search for objects include: Label (available in previous releases), Identifier, Aggregate, Usage, Data type, Technical data type, Expression, Description, Comments, and Screen tip.
Localized property names and values can be used in the search.
In data modules, the search is available in the metadata tree, relationship editor, table editor (the editor for creating and editing custom tables such as views, aliases, shortcuts, or unions), and expression editor for selected data sources and data source tabs. The search is also available in the metadata tree in dashboards and explorations.
The following image shows the search field in the metadata tree. The data module was searched for objects with the Usage property set to Summary. The search returned the Return reason table.

The following are some use cases for this type of search:
- Search for objects whose label contains a certain string.
For example, the search syntax
:comments:abc
returns objects with a comment that contains the string "abc". - Search for objects with a certain data type.
For example, the search syntax
:Data type:decimal
returns objects with the Data type property set to Decimal. - Search for objects with undefined property values.
For example, the search syntax
:usage::
returns objects whose Usage property is not set. - Search for objects with enumerated (predefined) values, as in Usage or
Aggregate properties.
For example, the search syntax
:aggregate:maximum
returns objects with the Aggregate property set to Maximum.
For more information, see Searching for objects by properties.