Queries

Absolute collects useful inventory data from each device on a routine basis. Queries allow you to filter devices by this data to show similarities or differences in values.

Queries are a dynamic and prescriptive management system that contain endpoints only as long as the endpoint meets the attribute filters prescribed by the query.

Queries are a many-to many relationships and an endpoint may exist in many concurrent queries depending on it’s status.

Important Information

A query consists of one or many Boolean logics.

Queries are dynamic; a device may appear in the results of a query one day, but a configuration change on the device could result in disappearing the following day;

You can create folders that enable you to store related queries in one folder to keep them organized;

There are 'Default Queries' to offer you examples of these dynamic collections. It is not possible to edit or delete these queries, but they can be copied;

Any query that you create is known as a 'Custom Query'; these can be copied, edited, or deleted.

Scope users cannot modify or delete queries assigned to them, unlike group queries.

Discovery: Query OptionsDiscovery: Query Options

	Previews query results (does not automatically save the query)
	Export the query logic
	Save changes
	Cancels changes since the last time the query was saved
	Name of a query.
	A useful description of the query.
	Allows you to restrict the query so that it only runs against a Site of devices.
	Used to add one more calculation into the query.
	Used to remove a specific calculation from the query. Calculations that are part of a group will need to be ungrouped first.
	This is used in conjunction with the grouping feature. If you place the tick of your calculation, you can join them together by using the button.
	This is used to join previously selected lines of your calculation. At least two lines must be selected before this 'Join' feature will be activated.
	When creating your calculation, you may use the 'And/Or' feature to enable flexibility where required. Example 1: The Device Type is Workstation OR Laptop. Example 2: The Device Type is Workstation AND the Manufacturer is DELL.
	The inventory data field.
	The operator allows specific or multiple selective calculations to be created. Example 1: OS Name = Microsoft Windows 7 Professional. Example 2: OS Name 'LIKE' %Server%.
	By default, you may display values from the database by pressing the down arrow or if you know the value you want to search for you may enter it manually. If the value is in the form of date/time, then additional functionality may be available. This functionality will be in the form of variables such as $TODAY or $LASTWEEK. As an example of using a variable $TODAY-10 could be used, a simple calculation would be performed which would use subtract 10 days from the current date. The Operators used when using a calculation would generally be 'greater than' or 'less than'.
	Export the query results as a CSV file (prompts download).
	Configure the column sets that have been created within the Absolute Manage console.
	Select the column set that the query will use when displaying the results.

Guided walk-through: How to Create a New QueryGuided walk-through: How to Create a New Query

❶	To access the Device Queries area of the console go to Devices from the main menu and expand 'Queries' or 'Default Queries' folder
❷	To create a query either right-click on Queries or use the options at the top of the screen '+New Query'. This will open a Query Designer.
❸	Define the Query Details Name your query (e.g., Windows 10 devices that require a reboot). Optionally, provide a description to clarify the purpose of the query. If you want to limit results to a specific location, check the 'Filter by Location' box and choose a location from the drop-down.
❹	Set Up Your Query Condition Click into the Field input. Start typing a keyword like 'OS' to filter through the available inventory data fields. Alternatively, use the drop-down arrow to manually browse and select a field (e.g., Operating System Name). Use the Operator drop-down to choose a comparison (e.g., Equals, Contains). In the Value field, select or type the matching value (e.g., Microsoft Windows 10). Only values that have been reported by at least one device will appear in the Value drop-down. You can also manually type in a value if needed.
❺	Add Additional Conditions (Optional) Click the '+' icon to add another line of Boolean logic. For example, to filter devices that require a reboot, select the field 'Is Reboot Required', set the operator to Equals, and the value to True. Use the And/Or selector to define the logic between conditions. Use 'And' to ensure all conditions must be true.
❻	Run or Save Your Query Click 'Run Query' to execute the query and view the results. Click 'Save' to keep the query for future use. The 'Export Definition' option allows you to export the logic of the query for documentation or reuse.