Data Discovery using Global Search

Article Summary

The article explores how OvalEdge facilitates efficient data discovery through its Global Search functionality. Users can search for data objects across the application leveraging the powerful elasticsearch integration to obtain relevant search results. This article highlights key features such as qualifiers, advanced filters, and left panel search that enhance the search experience.

This article also discusses the Quick View feature, which provides a summary of metadata details without deep navigation, and illustrates the importance of endorsement ratings, project collaboration, and the ability to download search results for offline access.

Global Search

The Global Search bar, accessible from any page in OvalEdge, acts as a centralized search tool similar to popular search engines. By entering keywords related to the desired data objects, users can obtain relevant search results. The search is not limited to a specific module or page, providing a comprehensive application-wide search experience. 

The image below shows OvalEdge’s Global search field and its various features. These features will be described in detail later in this document. 

• The left panel lets you narrow your search specific to data object type (Tables, Files, codes, etc).
• The ‘Certified’ checkbox can be used to filter the search results to show only certified data objects.
• The Advanced Search filter helps to further refine the search on top of search results based on Connection Name, Tags, etc.
• The search provides the Endorsement Rating associated with each data object using or  five-star rating/flag given by other users to evaluate the trustworthiness of the data object. 
• The Highlight icon shows which attribute of the data object the search keyword is related to. 
• The Relevance score shows how closely the data objects match the search keyword. 

How To Use Global Search

Here are the step-by-step instructions to search data objects in Global Search in OvalEdge:

1. The Global Search feature is conveniently accessible from any page within the application. In the header, you will find the Global Search bar prominently displayed.

1. Enter the relevant keyword you want to search for in the search bar.
2. Press Enter to initiate the search and retrieve search results.
3. By default, the search results are displayed in the All tab, showcasing data objects with a full or partial keyword match.
4. Utilize the object type tabs to view specific data object type results and filter them further.

Search Using Qualifiers

To perform precise searches, OvalEdge supports qualifiers like AND and OR. By using "&" or "&&" for AND, users can find data objects that contain multiple keywords. Similarly, "|" or "||" can be used for OR, allowing users to retrieve data objects containing either of the specified keywords. These qualifiers assist in narrowing down search results based on specific requirements.

The following features within OvalEdge’s Global Search allow users to filter, customize, categorize, and download search results to suit their needs. These features include: 

Quick View

With its dynamic and fine-grained filters and advanced search options, the Global search helps narrow down the search application-wide. However, searching is not the only way to find data in OvalEdge; the Quick View allows you to obtain a summary of the metadata details of a data object without having to navigate deep into the full object’s information. 

Left Panel Search

The Left Panel Search feature enables users to narrow down their search results by utilizing various filters available for each object type. These filters can include criteria such as Connector, Schema, Governance Roles, Status, Last Modified Date, Popularity Score, Importance Score, etc. depending on the specific object type being searched. By applying these filters, users can focus their search on specific attributes or characteristics of the data objects, ensuring that the results align with their specific requirements.

Advanced Filter

The Advanced Search filter is enabled for every object type in the top-right corner of the screen. This feature offers multi-level granularity filtering, allowing users to refine their search results by applying additional filters on top of the initial search results. The Advanced Filter significantly enhances search precision and enables users to narrow down their results to find the most relevant data objects.

When using the Advanced Filter, users have the flexibility to utilize both AND and OR search operators. The AND operator is primarily applied to fields such as Tags, Terms, and Synonyms (configured search keywords). By using the AND operator, users can specify multiple criteria within these fields, ensuring that search results match all the specified criteria. 

On the other hand, the OR operator is used for fields like Connection Name, Schema Name, Status, and Certify fields. When employing the OR operator, users can define multiple options within these fields, and the search results will include data objects that match any of the specified options. This flexibility allows users to broaden their search and discover a wider range of relevant data objects.

Data Highlights

To help users understand the context of search results, the Highlight icon indicates the attribute of a data object that the search keyword is related to. 

The attribute of an object can be a Business Description, Title, Term, Tag, Technical Description, Project Notes, Synonyms, Connection, Schema, Column Tag, Column Term, Endorsement message, Code Custom Field, Test Custom Field, or Classification Custom Field. 

However, it's important to note that the search results may not always have the search keyword in the object.

Relevance Score

The Relevance Score is a measure of how closely the search keyword matches the data objects. A low score of 1 indicates low relevance compared to other data objects, while a high score of, say, more than 100, indicates high relevance. The score is calculated based on the below components:

• The elasticsearch Score is based on how well the search keyword matches the indexed data. 
• The Synonym Score is calculated based on the similarity of the search keyword to the configured search keyword or synonym, which helps to capture more relevant results.

The Popularity Score is determined by the number of times the data object has been accessed or viewed, which indicates its popularity and importance.

Endorsement Rating

The Endorsement Rating associated with each data object is displayed using a five-star rating/flag given by other users to evaluate the trustworthiness of the data object.

Add to Projects

Utilize the "Add to Projects" icon to include data objects within projects. You can designate a particular project as the default choice for adding data objects by utilizing the 'Add to Project' button, accessible at various points within the application. When data objects are integrated into a project, participating users within that project gain the ability to collaborate, jointly advance tasks, and monitor project progress.

Download Search Results

Users have the option to download search results for offline access or further analysis. The Download icon, located in the bottom right corner of the Global Search screen, enables users to export data objects along with their Business Description and Technical Description.

Thus, the Global Search feature, along with qualifiers, advanced filters, and additional functionalities like Quick View, Endorsement Rating, and project collaboration, empowers users to easily locate and access relevant data objects. By streamlining the data discovery process, OvalEdge enhances productivity and enables users to make informed decisions based on accurate and readily available information.