FEATURED PROJECT
Drupal Bulk Search
A Drupal 7 module for searching hundreds or thousands of names at once from a CSV upload, instead of looking them up one by one.
CSV of Names → Upload → Bulk Search → Hit / Miss Results
Upload a single-column CSV (for example with a Names header), run the search, and review hits with links to matching nodes.
1. The Problem
Drupal 7 sites often need to check long lists of names against existing content.
- Searching one name at a time does not scale when lists grow to hundreds or thousands.
- Manual lookups are slow and easy to miss.
- Teams need a clear hit or miss outcome for each name.
- When a match exists, editors need a direct path to the node.
2. The Solution
Drupal Bulk Search is a custom Drupal 7 module that accepts a CSV of names and runs them through the site in bulk.
- Upload a CSV with a single column of search items (column name such as Names).
- Process the list through a dedicated bulk search flow for logged-in users.
- Review results as hit or miss.
- Follow a link to the matching node when a search item is a hit.
- Menu routes also register CSV and PDF report download endpoints for the search workflow.
3. Architecture
CSV file → File upload → Bulk search processing → Hit / Miss results
↓
Node link on hits
↓
Optional CSV / PDF report download routes
4. Technology Stack
CMS — Drupal 7.x
Module — Custom Drupal module (bulk_search.info / drupal_bulk_search.module)
Language — PHP
Input — CSV (single column, e.g. Names)
Access — Logged-in users
License — GNU GPLv3
Repository — GitHub (public)
5. Key Features
Bulk name search — Search hundreds or thousands of names in a Drupal 7 site instead of one-by-one lookups.
CSV upload — Provide search items in a single-column CSV with a header such as Names.
Hit / miss results — The module presents a results page showing whether each item was found.
Node links on hits — Successful matches include a link to the corresponding node.
Report routes — The module registers download endpoints for CSV and PDF search reports.
Authenticated access — Bulk search pages are available to logged-in users.
6. Challenges & Lessons Learned
- Drupal core search is oriented around single queries, not long batch lists.
- CSV structure must stay simple: one column of names with a clear header.
- Operators need unambiguous hit vs miss feedback for every row.
- Matched results are most useful when they deep-link straight to the node.
- Keeping the module small and focused makes it easier to drop into existing Drupal 7 sites.
7. Future Roadmap
- Expand documentation and example CSV fixtures
- Harden report export flows (CSV / PDF)
- Richer result filtering and status summaries
- Compatibility notes for common Drupal 7 search setups
- Packaging and install guidance for site builders
Open-source Drupal 7 utility.
Explore the repository, try it on a Drupal 7 site, or suggest improvements.