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Toad for SQL Server 6.6

You are here: Manage Databases > Filter Databases and Objects

Filter Databases and Objects

Toad allows you to filter the list of databases or objects that display in the Object Explorer. You can use filters to reduce the number of databases and/or objects to work with.

Types of Filters

You can create a Quick filter by entering a search string in the object filter field. You can also use the Filter dialog (click ) to choose additional filter options. If you use the Filter dialog, you can also name and save your filter.

Filter Type	Description	Behavior
Quick (unnamed)	Can be used to quickly filter objects for a single connection or schema. Create a Quick filter by entering a search string in the object filter field.	Applies to the current schema (or to objects in the current schema) only. Once applied, a Quick filter is in effect on that connection when you reconnect or relaunch Toad. Because Quick filters are not named, they cannot be applied to other connections by selecting from the filter list. You must recreate the Quick filter for each connection/schema.
Detailed (unnamed)	Use like a Quick filter, but add more detail by using the Filter dialog to enter filter criteria. Use this method to create an unnamed database filter.	-- same behavior as a Quick filter --
Named	Create and save named filters to reuse and to apply to other connections.	Once applied, a Named filter is in effect when you reconnect or relaunch Toad.

Filter Type

Description

Behavior

Quick (unnamed)

Can be used to quickly filter objects for a single connection or schema.

Create a Quick filter by entering a search string in the object filter field.

Applies to the current schema (or to objects in the current schema) only.

Once applied, a Quick filter is in effect on that connection when you reconnect or relaunch Toad.

Because Quick filters are not named, they cannot be applied to other connections by selecting from the filter list. You must recreate the Quick filter for each connection/schema.

Detailed (unnamed)

Use like a Quick filter, but add more detail by using the Filter dialog to enter filter criteria.

Use this method to create an unnamed database filter.

-- same behavior as a Quick filter --

Named

Create and save named filters to reuse and to apply to other connections.

Once applied, a Named filter is in effect when you reconnect or relaunch Toad.

Note: If you rename a table that has a filter defined, it results in an orphaned filter. Orphaned filters are automatically removed unless you used a tool other than Toad to remove them.

Before Creating a Filter

A filter is associated with a specific list of objects from a specific database. Consider the following guidelines when setting filters:

A filter applied to a set of objects such as tables in one specific database connection is not automatically applied to the list of objects in another database connection.
A filter applied to a list of tables on one schema in the database is not automatically applied to the list of tables for a different schema in the same database.
A filter set for a specific schema or object is applied when altering objects, using the SQL Editor, Master Detail Browser, etc., for that schema or object.

Tip: To apply any currently-set filters to the code completion list in the editor, select the Apply explorer filters option in Tools | Options | Editor | Code Completion.

Create Filters

To create a Quick filter (objects only)

Enter a search string to use for filtering in the object filter field (below the database field) in the Object Explorer.

Note: As you enter a search string, the currently specified Search Condition displays in a blue banner below the object filter field. This Search Condition will be used in your filter. To change the Search Condition, click and select a different one from the Search Condition drop-down.

To create a Detailed filter

Click beside the database or object filter fields in the Database Explorer or Object Explorer.

Specify criteria for the filter in the Properties tab. Review the following for additional information:

Search String

Enter a text string and search characters to use for filtering.

Search Condition

Select a search type to use in this filter.

Note: You can set a default value for this field in Tools | Options | Explorer | General. If you don't specify a default value in Options, this field defaults to the search type you specified the last time you created or modified a filter (includes previous sessions).

Tip: To include in your text string certain characters normally used in search logic, such as the underscore (_), use one of the following Search Conditions:

Contains (Exact)
Starts With (Exact)
End With (Exact)

To create custom SQL, select the SQL tab and then select the Enable custom SQL option. Modify the existing SQL. (The existing SQL reflects the criteria you specified in the Properties tab).
Select the Preview tab to review the list of databases or objects that are selected based on your filter criteria.

To create a Named filter

Click and create a Detailed filter (see above).
Enter a name for the filter and click . Creating a name for the filter allows you to use it on other database connections.

Creating a new Quick filter from a current filter

If you apply a filter and then enter a search string into the object filter field without completely clearing the current filter in the field, the new search string is applied, as well as the properties specified for the old filter.
If you apply a filter and then completely clear the object filter field before entering a new search string, all properties return to the default values.

Note: The Search Condition also returns to the default value. This default is either the Search Condition you specified the last time you created or modified a filter or it is the new default you specified in Options.

Use Filters

To use Named filters

To apply a Named filter, click the down-arrow beside and select the filter from the drop-down list.
To clear a Named filter, click the down-arrow beside and select <None>.

To determine if a filter is applied, observe the filter icon.

Icon	Indicates
	No filter is applied (all databases/objects display).
	A filter is applied.

Import/Export Filters

You can export all named filters and you can export all filters defined for the current connection.

To export Named filters or all filters defined for the current connection, click the down-arrow beside in the database field and select Export Filters.
To import filters previously exported from Toad, click the down-arrow beside in the database field and select Import Filters. Browse to and select the filter file (.tfp) to import.

Tip: Click in the Database Explorer (Viewer) toolbar to clear all database, object, and data filters.