Searching with FoodBank Manager
This article is broken up into several parts. Use the links below to go to the section you are interested in.
- Configuring the Search Menus
- Adding / Removing Searchable Fields
- Changing the Order of your Search Fields
- Examples of Search Setup and Search Bar for the Different Lists
- Using Search Properly
Configuring the Search Menus
Every pantry searches for a guest differently. Whether by name, barcode or any other manner, FBM can be customized to fit your search preference.
To set up your search preference, go to Settings > List Configs > Select List (next to gold key) > Choose a Search List to customize.
Here is a description of the available searches you can modify that are found in the dropdown list.
- Donor Search - allows you to set up your criteria to search for Donors.
- Manage Team - allows you to set up your criteria to search for Team Members.
- Manage Guests - allows you to set up your criteria to search for Guests under the Manage tab.
- Create Visit Search - allows you to set up your criteria to search for Guests under the New Visit tab.
- Relationship Search – allows you to set up criteria when searching by the Relationship field.
Adding / Removing Searchable Fields
- Add guest fields you want to use for searching by clicking the drop-down menu found under 'Add Items to List' > Choose the field item > Click 'Add Item'.
- Remove items by clicking on ‘Remove' (see image below). Removed items will still be available in the 'Add Items to List' drop-down menu. This allows you to add them back on a future date if desired.
Changing the Order of your Search Fields
Rearrange fields in the order you want to use them by left clicking on the field you want to move, HOLD the click and drag that field into place and release the mouse. (see image below)
Examples of Search Setup and Search Bar for the Different Lists
Donor Search setup and search bar results
Guest Search (Manage tab) setup and search bar results
Team Member Search setup and search bar results
Using Search Properly
Once you have your criteria set up in the order you want to search, click in the search bar for the area you are working in.Before performing any searches, remember a “less is better” approach to searching, will yield more accurate results than typing in the full name of a guest or full address of a donor. Over time this will mean less duplicates.
Note: For this example we will use the 'Create Visit Search' to look for a guest. We are searching for the guest by last name, first name, DOB, address and phone.
Start by typing in two or three letters of the last name, press the {TAB} key and then two or three letters of the first name and press the {TAB} key again. It is likely that you may see the guest you are looking for already, but if not, type in the year of birth press the {TAB} key again. If you still do not find who you are looking for continue to the address, but remember… just a few characters, not the entire address (house number reccomended).
Note: As you {Tab} through, the column you are in changes to gold. This lets you know what column you are working in. Each column is triggered by the use of ; (semicolons). Using our example, if I wanted to search by DOB only, I would press the {TAB} key twice and then enter the date. Your search would then yield all guests with that DOB.
Note: Tablets or other devices that do not have a {Tab} key or {TAB} is not easily accessed, use the 'Prev' and 'Next' buttons to the right of the search bar, which are the same thing as using a {TAB} key. You can also use the 'Search' button at any time to trigger a search.
