Understanding How to Locate Item Information

You might want to locate item information for a variety of reasons, such as entering changes to inventory, revising the information that is associated with inventory items, or reviewing available quantities.

You can use three methods to locate item information. The method that you select depends on the type of search criteria to use and where the method is available, as shown in this table:

Method	Definition	Availability
Locating items with word search on the Work with Item Word Search form.	Enables you to locate items based on text stored in any of 31 fields in six tables.	This search is available from a Form exit in the Item Master or any transaction entry form (Issues, Transfers, Adjustments, and Reclassifications).
Locating and returning item information on the Item Search Returning Quantity form.	Enables you to locate items by item number to see the available quantities, and then to return to the transaction entry form many fields of information for multiple items. If necessary, you can access the word search function to find the item number.	This search is available when you are using any transaction entry form (Issues, Transfers, Adjustments, and Reclassifications).
Locating item information with item search on the Work With Item Search form.	Enables you to locate items by defined search text.	This search is available from a search button from the Item Number field and from the Inventory Inquiries menu (G41112).

You can define specific criteria for an item search. Use this type of search when you know what the item is but you want to limit the search. For example, you can limit the search for an item to a specific branch/plant and supplier. You can use search text only to locate items that have search text information in the item master records. You can set up processing options to display sales or purchasing category codes that are applicable to items.

When you define search criteria, the system searches these tables for items with matching information:

Table	Information Type
Item Master (F4101)	Search text. Description. Drawing number (when using manufacturing systems).
Item Branch File (F4102)	Item number (short, second, or third). Branch/plant. Supplier. Purchasing or sales category codes 1–5, depending on the processing option that you select.
Item Location File (F41021)	Location. Lot number. Lot status code.
Lot Master (F4108)	Lot. Lot description. Serial number. Expiration date.
Location Master (F4100)	Picking zone. Putaway zone. Replenishment zone.