Standalone search block and widget Pro

The standalone search block puts a document library search box anywhere on your site — a homepage hero, a sidebar, a footer — separate from the library itself. Visitors type their query where they are, and the results link into your document library, so people can find files without first navigating to the library page.

FileDeck Pro — this feature is included in all Pro plans. See pricing

When to use it

Every library already has search built in (see instant search, sorting, and filters), so you do not need this block on the library page itself. It earns its keep everywhere else: a "Find a document" box in the homepage hero, a search field in the sidebar of your support section, or a footer search that works from any page.

Adding the search box with the block

1. Edit the page or template where the search box should appear — for example your homepage.
2. Click the + inserter and add the FileDeck search block.
3. Optionally scope it to a document category (see below).
4. Publish. Visitors can now search your document library from that page, and results link into the library.

Adding it with the shortcode or as a widget

Where blocks are not available — classic widget areas, page builders, theme templates that render shortcodes — use the shortcode form:

[filedeck_search]

To scope the search to one part of your library, add a category slug:

[filedeck_search category="newsletters"]

A scoped search box only matches documents in that category, which is useful when a section of your site corresponds to a section of your library — a "Newsletters" landing page whose search should only surface newsletters.

What visitors experience

The standalone box searches the same fields as in-library search — title, excerpt, description, categories, tags, and filename. Results link into your document library, where visitors can download the file or keep browsing with the library’s full search, sort, and filter tools.

FAQ

Is the standalone search block available in the free version?

No. In-library search is free in every library, but the standalone block and the [filedeck_search] shortcode are Pro features. See free vs Pro.

Can I put the search box in my sidebar?

Yes. Use the block in a block-based widget area, or place [filedeck_search] in any widget or template location that renders shortcodes.

Can I limit the search box to one category?

Yes. Scope the block to a category in its settings, or add category="your-slug" to the shortcode. The box will only match documents in that category.

Where do visitors end up after searching?

In your document library, viewing the matching documents — from there they can download files or refine with the library’s own search and filters.