Command F does not work

Question

Level 2

262 points

Command F does not work

In the last few days the Find function has stopped working. When I am in Finder, I type "Command F." I get the window that opens then. I type in the term for which I want to search. The bottom of the window then reports "O items." I know the items exist. For example one such item was a file that I had just finished typing and then misfiled. I knew that the file existed because I had saved it only a few seconds earlier. I have not been able to find anything on my hard drive for about a week now. Why is the Find function failing?

Mac mini, macOS High Sierra (10.13)

Posted on Jan 18, 2018 11:24 AM

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Answer 1

Ferd II

Level 10

104,865 points

Jan 18, 2018 11:39 AM in response to R_55a

Richard,

Go to Finder>Preferences...>Advanced>When performing a search:...choose "This Mac."

Have you tried to search using "Spotlight?"

If neither of those suggestions work, try following the steps listed in: How to rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac - Apple Support.

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Answer 2

R_55a Author

Level 2

262 points

Jan 18, 2018 11:58 AM in response to Ferd II

Here is a screen shot of both 1) a search for "1881" and 2) my Finder Advanced preference.

I get the same report of "0 items" with every such search.

When I try Spotlight in this example, all it does is to open Calculator and insert "1,881." I am looking instead for a file with "1881" in the title.

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,036 points

Jan 18, 2018 12:11 PM in response to R_55a

name:1881

Whether in the Finder window search area, or Spotlight, the above will search for the 1881 string in a filename. No wild cards are supported.

It is best to set your Finder Preferences : Advanced : When performing a search: Search the Current Folder.

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Answer 4

qsszb

Level 4

1,230 points

Jan 18, 2018 12:00 PM in response to R_55a

Did you try the spotlight index reset? Spotlight holds all search details.

Also, check in System Preferences, Spotlight and make sure the file type is enabled, or it wont show. Also that the location is not I the exclusion list in privacy under the Privacy Tab.

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Answer 5

R_55a Author

Level 2

262 points

Jan 18, 2018 12:11 PM in response to Ferd II

Interesting. The whole hard drive was in the window for exclusion from Spotlight. I wonder how it got there.

I expect that Spotlight will take a little time to index the hard drive now. I'll give it some time and check again.

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Answer 6

Ferd II

Level 10

104,865 points

Jan 18, 2018 12:07 PM in response to R_55a

Richard,

Did you try: How to rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac - Apple Support?

macOS Sierra: Narrow your searches in Spotlight and Finder is another document to use for troubleshooting.

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Answer 7

Jan 19, 2018 12:39 PM in response to R_55a

It certainly shouldn't take a day.

You can try creating a new user and see if you have the same problem.

Also try booting into Safe Mode.

Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 8

qsszb

Level 4

1,230 points

Jan 18, 2018 11:26 AM in response to R_55a

When you load the finder window are you searching the whole Mac or just the folder? have you tried using the search in the top right, that should do the entire Mac.

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