Search and Filters¶
Lifebook offers two ways to narrow the timeline:
- Search text in the main menu search box.
- Filters in the filter column.
These features work in the timeline list view.
Search Box¶
The search box searches entries in the list. It can match:
- Entry titles
- Text entry content
- Captions and other searchable entry text
- Tags
- Album child entries when relevant
Matching text is highlighted in the list and overlay.
The search status shows the number of results. When search or filters are active, Lifebook also shows active filter chips and a result count above the list. The placeholder text is visible while the box is idle and disappears when you hover or focus the search box. Press Escape in the search box to clear the search text. Press Ctrl+F from most screens to focus the search box.
Search Categories¶
When the category button is visible inside the search box, you can limit search to an entry type.
Categories are based on the entry types currently available in the result set. The All category searches all available types.
In calendar view, the toolbar shows Search timeline instead of the search box. Use it to switch back to the timeline and start searching.
Filter Column¶
Open the filter column with the filter button in the main menu or Ctrl+T.
The filter column contains:
- Tag filter
- Year and month filter
- Type filter
It appears to the left of the main list. You can adjust the width of the filter column by dragging its edge.
Tag Filter¶
The tag section lists tags that are currently available for the visible results.
Use it to:
- Select a tag and show entries with that tag.
- Sort tags alphabetically in ascending or descending order.
- Clear the selected tag.
Only one tag filter is active at a time. Selecting a tag clears the active year, month, and type filters.
Year and Month Filter¶
The year section lists years that contain entries in the visible results.
Use it to:
- Select a year.
- Expand a year and select one of its months.
- Sort years ascending or descending.
- Clear the selected year and month.
Selecting a year or month clears the active tag and type filters.
When search text or another filter is active, the year and month lists reflect the current results. The selected year or month stays available so you can clear it again.
Type Filter¶
The type section filters by entry type. It shows the types currently available for the visible results, such as:
- Text
- Image
- Video
- Audio
- Photo album
Selecting a type clears the active tag, year, and month filters.
Clearing Filters¶
Each filter section has its own clear button. Closing the filter column clears selected tag, type, year, and month filters.
When search or filters are active, the chip row above the list lets you clear individual active filters. Clear all clears the search text and all active filters at once.
The filter button in the main menu shows when a filter is active, so you can tell that the list is narrowed even if the column is compact or closed.
How Search and Filters Work Together¶
Search text and filters can both be active. For example, you can search for a word, then filter the results by year.
When a filter changes, Lifebook:
- Refreshes the timeline.
- Expands groups that contain matching entries.
- Updates the search result count.
- Stops any playing media so the visible result set stays clear.