Message Search Shortcuts

From BlackBerryFAQ

The Messages application on your Blackberry has the ablity to search for messages using pre-defined searches (aka 'shortcuts) or you can create and edit your own searches.

[edit] Pre-defined Searches

Here's how you can view the entire list of pre-defined searches for your device.

1. Click on the Messages icon

2. Click the wheel and click Search

3. Click the wheel and click Recall. Here is a screen pic of my 7100i:

XXX

The letters next to the search names are the shortcut keys defined for that search (along with the ALT key). For example, if I want to search for Incoming messages, I go into my list of messages and then press ALT + U. For Direct Connect, I'd press ALT + D. And so on....

[edit] Create your own Search

You can also create your own searches, such as:

- Messages to or from a specific person (perhaps a potential customer, or your manager)

- Messages with specific words in the subject line

- Phone calls to or from a certain person in your address book

Let's say you want to create a search to find all the messages from your manager, and you want to save it for future use (as a shortcut). Here are the steps to do that (I'll search for my own manager's name), and then couple of screen pics below.

1. Click on the Messages icon

2. Click the wheel and click Search

3. In the Name field, type in your manager's name

4. Change the In field to display 'From: Field' (tip: just highlight this field and press the 'F' key)

5. Change the Type field to display 'Email with Attachments' (tip: hightlight this field and press the 'E' key twice)

Here's what I have so far:

XXX

If I just wanted to use this search once, I could now click the wheel and click Search...or I could continue...

6. To save this search, click the wheel and click Save.

7. In the Title field, type in any title (I used 'Email from Brad')

8. In the Shortcut Key field, click the wheel and click Change Option to view the keys available for saved searches. I'll use the 'b' key for mine (the BN key for my model).

Here's what I have now:

XXX

9. The last step is to click the wheel and click Save.

[edit] Now to reuse this search

I just go into my list of messages and press ALT + BN key and all messages (with attachments) from my manager will be found.

When you have performed a search (either one-time or by using a shortcut) you will see either the search name (i.e, 'Email from Brad') or 'Search Results' at the top of your screen. To get back to your entire list of message, click the Escape button (under the wheel). Note: If the search hasn't completed, pressing Escape once will display 'Search Cancelled!!" - press Escape again to get back to the entire message list.