possible to search across virtual libraries?

[apricoto]

This is not about searching text.

I am finding that if I search for an author, or a word in a title, I get zero results, unless I have the virtual library open that the book is in. Or set the virtual library to 'none'.

Is there a way to force search to look for a book, regardless of what virtual library is currently set to?

[theducks]

Not exactly a normal search... but it works across VL
the built in Quickview (Apply VL not ticked at bottom)
select the Author (any title that has it): 'Q'
Also Works for Series
Quickview will sort by column just like the main view: Click the column title

Preferences: Look & Feel: controls what columns show in Quickview

[apricoto]

maybe I don't understand how to use it, but Quickview seems to only show books of author of whatever book is currently highlighted or first in the current library.

I don't see how to change what author/title it searches for.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by apricoto

This is not about searching text.

I am finding that if I search for an author, or a word in a title, I get zero results, unless I have the virtual library open that the book is in. Or set the virtual library to 'none'.

Is there a way to force search to look for a book, regardless of what virtual library is currently set to?

Not that I know of, other than clearing the VL.

I use the relevant VL keyboard shortcuts to flip to All books, do the search, do whatever, and then flip back to the VL I was using.



When I look at that list, what's missing is a shortcut for Last Used Virtual library, and a corresponding action in the Virtual library drop down menu. That would make it easy to do a search in All books and then go back to the VL you were using.

I only have a few VL's and I show them as tabs; so, pressing the Next VL shortcut a few times isn't a hardship. But there are users who have dozens of VLs, too many to show in a horizontal tab bar.

BR

[apricoto]

Ok. then it isn't that I am missing something.

This could be a feature request: allow search of "all books" from the search bar.

Is there a place for feature requests?

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by apricoto

Ok. then it isn't that I am missing something.

This could be a feature request: allow search of "all books" from the search bar.

Is there a place for feature requests?

Yes ==>> calibre - Bugs para 4

BR

[kovidgoyal]

No, it isnt possible, the whole point of the virtual library is to restrict the books displayed to books matching the virtual library search expression. So all operations including search are limited to books in the virtual library.

[BetterRed]

@apricoto - have a look at the CalibreSpy optional 'plugin' (it's more like a separate tool with a plugin wrapper). It could meet your needs.

BR

[apricoto]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@apricoto - have a look at the CalibreSpy optional 'plugin' (it's more like a separate tool with a plugin wrapper). It could meet your needs.

BR

thanks. I'll take a look.

[apricoto]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

No, it isnt possible, the whole point of the virtual library is to restrict the books displayed to books matching the virtual library search expression. So all operations including search are limited to books in the virtual library.

Understood. However, If I want to access a particular book it would be nice to be able to do that without having to change the virtual library first, (or really set the virtual library to 'none'), then go back to reset the virtual library to where it was was.

Perhaps a checkbox to "search all libraries". when search box is cleared, the search result is cleared and back to virtual library.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by apricoto

Understood. However, If I want to access a particular book it would be nice to be able to do that without having to change the virtual library first, (or really set the virtual library to 'none'), then go back to reset the virtual library to where it was was.

Perhaps a checkbox to "search all libraries". when search box is cleared, the search result is cleared and back to virtual library.

VL have tabs at the top (if not hidden). All books is the <none> VL
The switch take a blink since the virtual is really an index switch.
The Tag Browser adjusts between All book and the current VL during the switch