Knowledge Base:
On the handheld device, how do I search Contacts?
Posted by Craig S, Last modified by Craig S on 06 June 2023 03:03 PM

In order to find specific contacts, you will want to use the 'Search' options.  Below will be the steps needed for each platform to explain how Handheld Contact can be used to Search and customize the look-up.

 

iPhone/iPad:

Searching Contacts:

  1. Open Handheld Contact on the iPhone/iPad and go to the 'Contacts' tab at the bottom of the screen.
  2. The default fields for searching Contacts are 'First Name', 'Last Name', and 'Company' fields.
  3. You can search for Contacts using the 'Search' option at the top of the Contacts screen.
  4. Entering in text will search Contacts in all the above fields.  The search may find contacts based on the text appearing in multiple fields such as 'Last Name' and 'Company'.

Note:  If you are using an iPad device, also see this LINK as it will explain the split screen viewing in more detail.

Adding an Additional Field:

  1. Handheld Contact will allow one (1) additional field for searching/sorting.  This change needs to be made manually.  In order to add this option, tap on the Handheld Contact 'Settings' tab at the bottom and choose 'Contacts'.
  2. Select the 'Additional Field' option and select the required field.  This will be saved and take you back to the 'Contact Settings' screen.  You will see the selected field displayed to the right of the 'Additional Field' option.  press 'Back' to go to Settings.  Press the 'Contacts' tab to see the changes made.
  3. The newly added field will appear on the same line to the right of the 'Company' field.
  4. Once this change has been made, you can use the 'Search' at the top of Contacts to look up text from the new field.

Sorting Contacts:

  1. You can sort the Contact List in any order you wish.
  2. Sorting the Contact List can be done by the default fields such as 'First Name', 'Last Name', or 'Company'.
  3. You can also sort the list by adding an additional field as listed above.
  4. To change the sorting manner, open the Handheld Contact 'Settings' tab and tap on 'Contacts'.
  5. Select the 'Sort By' option and you will be displayed the default fields as well as the 'Additional Field' (if previously added).
  6. Once the change is made, press 'Back' to get into the 'Settings' screen, then tap on the 'Contacts' tab to see the updates.  The sorted field will be highlighted in a blue colour.
  7. Making quick changes to the 'Sort by' options can be completed by tapping on the up/down arrows at the top right of the screen to the left of the '+' button.

Using Handheld Contact 'Searches' (similar to an ACT! Lookup):

  1. From the Handheld Contact 'Home' view, tap on 'Searches'.
  2. To create a new Search, tap on the '+' in the upper right corner.
  3. Enter a Name and Description of the Search.  Press on the '+' to add a Filter.
  4. Tap on Field and select the field name you want to add (Eg. City).
  5. The 'Relationship' will show "Has (Contains)" as Handheld Contact will be looking for this text in the specified field.
  6. The 'Value' field will be the text you want to search for within the selected 'Field' from step 4.
  7. When finished adding this filter, press 'Save' in the upper right corner.
  8. You can repeat steps 3 to 7 if needed to add more Filters.
  9. When finished, press 'Save' in upper right corner to save and go back to the main Searches screen.
  10. The new Search will be displayed and you can tap on this to show all Contacts found from the criteria entered.
  11. You can also email all contacts found from a given Search list by tapping on the arrow icon in the upper right corner.


Android:

Searching Contacts:

  1. Open Handheld Contact on the Android device.
  2. You will be launched into the 'Contacts' page by default.
  3. The default fields for searching Contacts are 'First Name', 'Last Name', and 'Company' fields.
  4. You can search for Contacts using the magnifying glass option at the top of the Contacts screen.  This is the button to the left of the '+' icon.
  5. Entering in text will search Contacts in all the above fields.  The search may find contacts based on the text appearing in multiple fields such as 'Last Name' and 'Company'.

Adding an Additional Field:

  1. Handheld Contact will allow one (1) additional field for searching/sorting.  This change needs to be made manually.  In order to add this option, open the Handheld Contact 'Menu' button.  There will be an option called 'Additional Field'.
  2. Select the required field from the list provided.  You may also choose 'None' if you want to remove a previously added field.
  3. Once the selection is made, you will be taken back to the 'Contacts' screen.  The additional field will appear in a new line underneath the 'Company' field.
  4. After this field has been added, you can use the search as mentioned above to look up text from the new field.

Sorting Contacts:

  1. You can sort the Contact List with any field you wish.
  2. Sorting the Contact List can be done by the default fields such as 'First Name', 'Last Name', or 'Company'.
  3. You can also sort the list by adding an additional field as listed above.
  4. To change the sorting manner, tap on the word 'Contacts' at the top of the screen.  This will open a drop-down box.
  5. The default fields will be listed as well as the selected 'Additional Field'.
  6. Once the selection is made, the Contact list will be automatically re-sorted in ascending order.
  7. The sorted field will also be listed within the top green banner (as <Last name>, for example) so you know what field the Contact list is sorted by.

Using Handheld Contact 'Searches' (similar to an ACT! Lookup):

  1. From the Handheld Contact 'Home' view, tap on 'Searches'.
  2. To create a new Search, tap on the '+' in the upper right corner.
  3. Enter a Name and Description of the Search.  Press on the lower '+' to add criteria.
  4. Tap on the drop down for 'Click to select'.  This will show all fields to choose from (Eg. City).
  5. The 'Value' field will be the text you want to search for within the selected field.
  6. When finished adding this filter, press 'Save' in the upper right corner.
  7. You can repeat steps 2 to 6 if needed to add more Searches.
  8. The new Search will be displayed and you can tap on this to show all Contacts found from the criteria entered.  There will be a number in brackets and this will be the total number of contacts found within the Search.
  9. You can also email all contacts found from a given Search list by tapping on the 'mail icon in the upper right corner.