Getting Started with Instant Global Search

Overview

Global Search is Helios's platform-wide search engine, accessible from the top navigation bar on every page. Search across all major content types simultaneously: experts, services, businesses, catalogs, gig postings, quick tasks, equipment, and activities, without navigating to each section individually. Results are returned in real time with category counts and clickable previews.

Who Is It For?

  • Businesses - find experts, services, catalogs, businesses, gig postings, equipment, and activities from one unified search bar without navigating menu by menu.
  • Experts - find gig postings, services, catalogs, businesses, and community content instantly from anywhere in Helios.

Key Features

  • Search across all major content types simultaneously from any page
  • Keyboard shortcut: ⌘K (Mac) / Ctrl+K (Windows)
  • Keyword, Phrase, and Exclude search modes for precise results
  • Category filter panel with live result counts per section
  • AI-powered search coming soon

Key Terms

  • Keyword Mode - The default search mode. Returns results containing any of the words in your query.
  • Phrase Mode - Matches results containing the exact phrase you type, in exact word order. Use for specific names, titles, or technical terms.
  • Exclude Mode - Filters out results that contain specific words.
  • Category Filter - The left panel listing all searchable content types. Click any category to narrow results to that type only.
  • Result Count - The number next to each category label showing how many matches were found in that section.

Understanding the Search Layout

Global Search is opened by clicking the search bar in the top navigation (labeled Type to search... with the keyboard shortcut ⌘K). It opens a floating search modal with a text input and mode buttons: Keyword (default), AI (coming soon), Phrase, and Exclude. Below the search bar, a left panel shows a list of content categories to filter results by, each with a live result count.

Searchable Content Types

  • Experts, Services, Businesses, Catalogs+, Promos & Events, Gig Postings, Quick Tasks, Equipments, Activities
  • Coming soon: Helios Drive, Annotations, and Bookmarks
  1. Click anywhere on the search bar in the top navigation from any page.
  2. Alternatively, press ⌘K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows) to open the search modal instantly.
  1. Type your query in the search input field. Results begin appearing in the right panel as you type.
  2. Click on any result card to navigate directly to that record.
  3. Press Escape or click outside the modal to close search without navigating.

How to Use Search Modes

  1. Keyword mode (default) - matches any result containing one or more of your search terms.
  2. Click Phrase to match results where your full query appears as an exact consecutive phrase.
  3. Click Exclude to filter out results containing specific terms.
  4. Combine modes for more precise results. For example, Keyword search with Exclude terms.

How to Filter Results by Category

  1. Click any category name in the left panel (for example, Catalogs+, Experts, or Activities).
  2. The right panel refreshes to show only results from the selected category.
  3. Click All Categories to return to the combined view.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I search from any page in Helios?+
Yes. The Global Search bar is pinned to the top navigation and accessible from every page. The keyboard shortcut ⌘K / Ctrl+K works regardless of what you are currently viewing.
What is the difference between Keyword and Phrase mode?+
Keyword mode returns any result containing one or more of your terms. Phrase mode returns only results where your full query appears as an exact, consecutive phrase. Use Phrase mode when searching for a specific name, title, or technical term.
Why are some categories marked Coming Soon?+
Helios Drive, Annotations, and Bookmarks are currently in development as indexed search targets. They will be searchable in a future platform update.


Troubleshooting

My search returns no results.+
Check your spelling and try a shorter or broader query. If you are in Phrase mode, try switching to Keyword mode. Also verify you haven't accidentally activated Exclude with terms that are filtering out all results.
The search modal is not opening when I press the keyboard shortcut.+
Make sure you are on a Helios page and your browser window is in focus. Some browser extensions may intercept this shortcut. Try clicking the search bar directly instead.


  • Use ⌘K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows) from anywhere in the portal to open search instantly without navigating to a specific section.
  • Use Phrase mode when you're searching for an exact term (for example, a specific catalog name or expert headline) to eliminate partial-match noise.
  • Use Exclude mode to filter out unwanted results. For example, searching for machining while excluding turning to focus on milling-specific results.
  • Click a category filter on the left to instantly scope your results to a single content type, much faster than browsing each section manually.


Tooling Catalogs+ →

Equipment Upkeep →

Task & Project Tracking →

Secure Helios Drive →

Smart Bookmarks →

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