16.6 Searching for Objects

Searching for objects can shorten the debug time, allows to locate an instance, net or port in a complex design without pushing, popping or scrolling. To search for instances, nets, and ports, use the Search Tool window.

To search for an instance, net or port, perform the following steps:
  1. From the View menu, choose Search Tool. The Search Tool window opens to the right of the Schematic window. This window is both sizable and dockable.
  2. Select Instance, Net, or Port in the Search For area.

    Type the text that you are looking for in the Name area. Refine the search by specifying a Cell Type (on the Instance tab).

    Figure 16-10. Search Tool Window
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    The Name and Cell Type fields accept regular expressions. The following table lists the wildcard characters in regular expressions.
    Table 16-2. Wildcard characters
    WildcardWhat It Does
    ?Matches any single character
    *Matches any string
    []Matches any single character among those listed between brackets (that is, [A-Z] matches any single character in the A-to-Z range).
    /This is the level-bordering symbol. For example, "A/B" designates "object B, which is part of instance A".
  3. Select from among the following search options:
    • Case Sensitive - Select this check box if you want the search to return only items that match the case of the items you entered.
    • Use Wildcards - Select this check box if you used wildcards in the Name or Cell Type fields.
    • Search Range - Select a search range to limit your search to a hierarchical level.
  4. Click Start Search. The located objects, if any, appear in the Result list box.
  5. Select one or several objects in the Result list box, and then click either Select in Viewer or Select All in Viewer to locate your object(s) in the Schematic window.