Laminar Help Centre

Why Global Search matters

Global search is the fastest way to move around Laminar. Instead of navigating into a module, loading a list, and scrolling or filtering to find what you need, you can simply type a few letters and jump directly to the exact supplier, component, BOM, order, project, or product you’re looking for.

Think of global search as Laminar’s “spotlight”—a single place where you can instantly retrieve information across your entire organisation.

It’s available on every page inside the app, always in the top bar, so your flow is never interrupted.

Where to find the search bar

You’ll see the search field centered in the top bar. It includes a magnifying-glass icon and expands as you start typing.

The search bar is always active when you’re logged in, regardless of which module you’re currently viewing. Whether you’re inside Suppliers, reviewing an Order, editing a Component, or working in Reports, you can always search without leaving the screen.

This consistency is intentional: search is designed to be one of your most-used tools.

How searching works

When you begin typing, Laminar waits for a brief moment before sending a search request. You only need to type a few letters—usually around three—for the first suggestions to appear.

As you type:

A dropdown opens under the search bar
Matching items appear instantly
Results update continuously as you keep typing
You can scroll if the list is long

Each result shows:

A title (e.g., supplier name, component name, order number)
A subtitle when applicable
A module tag showing where that item belongs (e.g., Suppliers, Orders)

These tags help you recognise what type of record each result is, especially when titles look similar.

Clicking a result takes you straight to that item’s detail page.

Tip You don’t need to type full names—partial matches often work best. For example, typing “mot” might find “Motor Assembly”, “Motors Inc.”, and “Motion Controller”.

What you can search for

Global search covers the key record types in Laminar. Depending on your permissions and organisation setup, you can find:

Suppliers
Components
Bills of Materials (BOMs)
Orders
Projects
Products

As Laminar grows, more record types may appear in search automatically. What you see depends on two factors:

Your role – you can only find items you’re allowed to view
Your organisation – search is scoped to the active organisation

If you switch organisations from your avatar menu, the search results adapt immediately.

Opening and navigating results

Once results appear, you can interact in two ways:

Click a result

Simply clicking any entry in the dropdown opens its detail page. This is the fastest way to reach items you already know.

Use your keyboard

For faster navigation:

Press ↓ to highlight the next item
Press ↑ to go back up
Press Enter to open the highlighted result

This keeps your hands on the keyboard and speeds up your workflow.

Note Closing the dropdown is as easy as clicking outside it or clearing your search text.

When to use search vs list views

Search works best when you know the name, ID, or a unique part of the item you’re trying to reach.

Use search when:

You know exactly what you’re looking for
You want the fastest path to a record
You’re switching between records frequently
You’re troubleshooting or verifying information
You need to confirm if something exists

Use list views when:

You need to browse or get an overview
You want to explore data
You need to scan multiple items side-by-side
You’re applying filters, sorting, or checking statuses
You’re working with a high volume of records

Both are essential, but search is often the better choice when speed matters.

Tips for more effective searching

Use distinctive fragments

Searching for “231” might instantly find Order ORD-1231, while typing “order 1231” is unnecessary.

Try unconventional fragments

Users often forget that searching for “bolt” can find “Bolt Housing Case” when they only remember the general category.

Take advantage of subtitles

Some items include secondary information. If you see a line beneath the title, it often contains useful context—such as a code or classification.

Switch organisations before searching

Search always reflects the active organisation. If you’re not getting expected results, confirm you’re in the right organisation via your avatar menu.

Don’t worry about case or spacing

Laminar search is forgiving. Typing “stl cam” can still find “Steel Camera Bracket”.

Common issues and how to solve them

“I can’t find an item I know exists.”

Check these possibilities:

You’re in a different organisation from where the record was created
Your role doesn’t include permission to view that module
The item’s name is spelt differently than expected
You typed fewer than 3 characters

Try typing a smaller, distinctive fragment of the name.

“Nothing appears when I type.”

Ensure:

Your internet connection is stable
You’ve typed at least a few letters
The dropdown isn’t scrolled to the bottom
You’re currently signed in (search is unavailable on auth pages)

“I clicked a result but landed somewhere unexpected.”

Verify that the module tag matches the type of record you intended to open.

Best practices for daily use

Start your workflow by searching—it's faster than navigating through modules.
Use keyboard navigation for rapid access.
Clear your search bar after each lookup so new searches feel natural.
If you're unsure which organisation you're in, check your avatar menu before searching.
For newly created items, give search a moment before expecting them to appear.

Helpful examples

You may find search especially useful when:

Jumping between a supplier and orders associated with them
Opening the correct variant of a component with a similar name
Finding a BOM without navigating through multiple project screens
Locating a specific project that a colleague mentioned
Confirming whether an item already exists before creating a duplicate

Search reduces clicks and brings the entire system together into a single, unified experience.

Using global search