Closed Bug 691019 Opened 14 years ago Closed 14 years ago

Search text is searched as typed regardless of setting

Categories

(Firefox :: Search, defect)

Product:
Firefox
Component:
Search
Version:
10 Branch
Platform:
x86
Windows Vista
Type:
defect
Priority:
Not set
Severity:
normal

Tracking

()

Status:
RESOLVED INVALID

People

(Reporter: bruce.wittmeier, Unassigned)

Details

User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.0; rv:10.0a1) Gecko/20110930 Firefox/10.0a1 Build ID: 20110930204632 Steps to reproduce: Display the search bar Enter some text to be searched Actual results: Text is searched char by char Expected results: There is a setting Tools/Options/Advanced - General tab - Accessibility - Search for text when I start typing that should delay the search until typing is complete This setting has no effect.
When this setting is uncheck it should delay the search until the user submits.
The setting you are mentioning here is not for the search bar. It's for the find bar and especially for the find-as-you-type feature. With it disabled you will have to hit '/' before you can start typing. Otherwise the search term will be searched directly inside the currently active page. If you want to disable the auto-suggestions for your search engine, open the search drop down and the search engine manager. There is a checkbox you will have to disable for that particular engine.
Status: UNCONFIRMED → RESOLVED
Closed: 14 years ago
Resolution: --- → INVALID
Perhaps I called it by the wrong name. Im referring to the Find bar at the bottom of the browser. In Windows it can be activated by pressing F3. Does the setting not refer to this box? Are you referring to the Search bar such as Google?
The setting Bruce is talking about controls the accessibility.typeaheadfind preference, I believe. And that controls whether typing into the page itself automatically activates the find bar at the bottom of the browser.
I am unable to see any condition using the Find bar where this setting has any effect. If the Find bar is displayed and I begin typing it immediately searches the current page with this setting checked or unchecked. If the Find bar is NOT displayed and I start with '/' the find bar opens and it immediately begins searching the current page with this setting checked or unchecked. Perhaps I dont understand this setting or how the Find bar is suppose to work.
Found it. You have to restart the browser for this setting to take effect. :)
I still feel the words on this setting are misleading. It should read "Open the Find bar when I start typing". The question that lead to this filing was "How can I disable searching until I am finished typing in the find bar". That is what this setting sounded like it would address.
(In reply to Bruce A. Wittmeier from comment #7) > The question that lead to this filing was "How can I disable searching until > I am finished typing in the find bar". That is what this setting sounded > like it would address. What's the reason for that you do not want to let it search until you have finished entering the search term? In most cases the right result will be returned earlier with lesser key strokes.
Hi Henrik, The original post in the Mozillazine help forum was not mine. I did reply with my thinking this setting would fix the OP question - actually by unchecking this setting. However it does not. I can think of times when I wanted to search for something exactly and only exactly what I entered. You cannot do this with this search as it is, as the search begins as soon as any letter is entered. You must scroll back to the top of the document being searched and begin again. My concern was the words applied to this setting - "Search for text when I start typing." This is true but even if you open the search bar first by Edit/Search, Ctrl-F or on Windows using F3 the search begins as soon as you start typing in the Find box. So the words apply regardless of this setting. I do now understand it means if you begin typing in the middle of a page. What really happens when this setting is checked is it immediately opens the Find bar. Then the same rules apply within a search process. Not a big deal but I thought this setting would perform differently. I wont dump Firefox 'cause of this :)
(In reply to Bruce A. Wittmeier from comment #9) > I can think of times when I wanted to search for something exactly and only > exactly what I entered. You cannot do this with this search as it is, as > the search begins as soon as any letter is entered. You must scroll back to > the top of the document being searched and begin again. This shouldn't happen. Whenever you start typing, the search will be started from the beginning of the page. It will always search for an exact match and also highlight the first possible result. Entering more letters starts a new search and the new first possible result is highlighted. If that's not the case for you please give us an example page and steps to reproduce. > My concern was the words applied to this setting - "Search for text when I > start typing." This is true but even if you open the search bar first by > Edit/Search, Ctrl-F or on Windows using F3 the search begins as soon as you > start typing in the Find box. So the words apply regardless of this > setting. I do now understand it means if you begin typing in the middle of > a page. It doesn't depend on where you are on that page. It's simply that you do not have to hit '/' to start FAYT (aka quick find) if the find bar is not visible. Entering a letter (if no control has the focus) will start the search immediately. > Not a big deal but I thought this setting would perform differently. The find bar and quick find are different features even they are looking identically. So the wording matches our behavior, especially because it includes "when I start typing". It doesn't apply to further key strokes. Does that make sense for you?
Thanks, Henrik for your explanation. >This shouldn't happen. Whenever you start typing, the search will be started from the beginning of the page. It seems to search from where you touch the page. I understand what you are saying about the FAYT feature. My comment was if the find bar is open FAYT also applies. I understand the starting the search anywhere in the page by just typing and the quickness of not needing the '/'. It is the wording on the feature "Search for text when I start typing". Both conditions operate the same - typing in the page or using the find box. They both start searching when you type each letter. "Open the find bar" would make more sense to me...but thats just me. I was trying to assist another user. I thought this feature being checked was the answer - its not. Its ok. I do not understand what you may have meant by "It doesn't apply to further key strokes". But that's ok. You have addressed all the comments. I do like the feature of the quick find as the dialog disappears after 3-4 seconds if not used. That's a nice feature. Thanks for your time.
Bruce, you are welcome! Keep up with your help and ideas.
One more comment :) I've stated "Search for text when I start typing" happens with the find box open or if this setting is checked it begins when you type in a page. My point is what precisely happens when you start typing in a page is it opens the Find bar. Thats why I think the words should read something like "Open the Find bar when I start typing" << this is what happens.
Opening the find bar is done beside. If you type the first letter the search is immediately triggered. It's not only opening the find bar.
Henrik, Thanks again. You guys are doing a great job. Keep up the good work.
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