Each page has a default search view, but you can change to a different view as desired. All views available to you are listed in a drop-down menu to the right of the Search field. Changing the view you're searching in can greatly affect your results, as views are pre-filtered to match only the specific view criteria.
Views are like windows to your data, every time you choose one, the system will return the latest results. They not only control any filters such as showing you birthdays this month, but they control what columns you see and what order those columns are in. In database terms a view is like a query, it is a question you are asking the system and the system is returning the answer.
MinistryPlatform comes pre-loaded with many helpful views. Some of these views are "System Views" meaning that anyone who can view that page, can see that view. Views can also be personal (only the person who created it can see it) or shared with a User Group. Views can be created to show you the following types of information:
