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Searching

WhatPulse Professional includes a powerful global search feature that helps you quickly find users, computers, and applications across your organization. Whether you're tracking down a specific workstation or looking up a team member, search gets you there in seconds.

You can open the search dialog in two ways:

  • Mac: Press ⌘K (Command + K)
  • Windows/Linux: Press Ctrl+K

This is the fastest way to search and keeps your hands on the keyboard.

Click the search bar in the navigation header. You'll see it at the top of every page with a placeholder showing the keyboard shortcut for your platform.

What You Can Search For​

The global search looks across three types of data in your organization:

Users​

Find team members by their name or email address. This is handy when you need to check someone's activity or manage their account.

Computers​

Search for workstations by:

  • Hostname - The computer's network name
  • Operating system - Search for "Windows", "macOS", or "Linux"

Perfect for when you need to find a specific machine or troubleshoot an issue.

Applications​

Look up applications by:

  • Application name - The name of the software
  • Vendor - The company that makes the software

Great for seeing which apps are being used across your organization.

Using the Search Dialog​

Once you open the search dialog, just start typing. Results appear instantly as you type, no need to press Enter.

Keyboard Navigation​

The search dialog is designed for efficient keyboard use:

KeyAction
↑ ↓Move through results
EnterOpen the selected result
EscClose the search dialog

Understanding Results​

Results are grouped by type (Users, Computers, Applications) and show up to 5 items per category. Each result displays:

  • Users: Name, email, and role badge
  • Computers: Hostname, operating system, and status indicator
  • Applications: Application name and vendor

If there are more results than shown, you'll see a link to view all results on a dedicated search page.

The Search Results Page​

For more comprehensive results, you can visit the full search results page. This shows all matching results without the 5-item limit, making it easier to browse through larger result sets.

You'll automatically be taken here when clicking "View all results" from the search dialog, or you can access it directly from the navigation.

Tips for Better Searches​

Be Specific​

The more specific your search term, the better your results. Searching for "john" might return many results, but "john.smith@company.com" will find exactly who you're looking for.

Use Partial Matches​

You don't need to type the full name. Searching for "mac" will find computers running macOS, and "micro" will surface Microsoft applications.

Search by What You Know​

Not sure of the exact hostname? Try searching by operating system type or the user who typically uses that machine. The search is flexible enough to help you find what you need from different angles.

Quick Access Pattern​

Get into the habit of using ⌘K (or Ctrl+K) as your go-to navigation shortcut. It's often faster than clicking through menus, especially when you know what you're looking for.

Access and Permissions​

Organization Members​

Regular users can search and find their own data: their user profile, their computers, and the applications they use.

Administrators​

Organization administrators and owners can search across all data in the organization. This includes all users, all computers, and all applications, making it easy to manage and monitor your entire team.

Frequently Asked Questions​

Why can't I see certain results?​

Search results are filtered based on your role. If you're a regular user, you'll only see your own data. Administrators can see everything in the organization.

How current are search results?​

Search results update in near real-time. When a new computer connects or a user is added, they become searchable almost immediately.

Is there a minimum search length?​

Yes, you need to type at least 2 characters before search results appear. This helps ensure relevant results and keeps the search fast.

Can I search across multiple organizations?​

No, search is scoped to your current organization. If you have access to multiple organizations, you'll need to switch to the relevant one first.

Pro tip: Make ⌘K / Ctrl+K part of your muscle memory. It's the fastest way to navigate WhatPulse Professional and will save you countless clicks over time. It's also a commonly used shortcut on other websites and applications, so you'll be building a useful habit.