A computer-implemented method of providing expanded search and find functionality in an user interface of an electronic mail application module, the method comprising the steps of: displaying, by a computing device, a user interface on an output device, the user interface concurrently including a list pane and a search pane, the list pane initially including a listing of data items, the search pane initially being in a simplified form, the search pane including a first text box; receiving, by the computing device, free form alphanumeric entry of a first search query in the first text box; receiving, by the computing device, a request to initiate the first search query; executing, by the computing device, the first search query and displaying a first results list in the list pane after receiving entry of the first search query, the first results list listing data items that match the first search query; receiving, by the computing device, a request to display an expanded form of the search pane that includes the first textbox and a plurality of additional textboxes (715, 720, 725, 730), each of the additional textboxes being associated with a pre-selected property of data items that defines a search criteria associated with the additional textbox, each pre-selected property being represented by a label adjacent to its associated additional textbox; receiving, by the computing device, entry of a search string in at least one of the additional textboxes; receiving, by the computing device, a request to initiate a second search query; executing, by the computing device, the second search query and displaying a second results list in the list pane; characterized by receiving, by the computing device, a request to customize a pre-selected property associated with the at least one textbox of the plurality of additional textboxes by selecting a criteria textbox label of the at least one additional textbox; automatically customizing, by the computing device, the at least one additional textbox by changing the underlying functionality of the search pane to apply the search string entered in the at least one additional textbox to properties of searched data items associated with the selected criteria textbox label; automatically populating, by the computing device, the first textbox with a syntax and a structure of the second search query based on the search string entered in the at least one additional textbox; and removing, by the computing device, the expanded form of the search pane and redisplaying the simplified form so that the first textbox is displayed without the additional textboxes, wherein the second results list includes one or more of the data items having instances of the modified property matching the search string in the second search query. displaying, by a computing device, a user interface on an output device, the user interface concurrently including a list pane and a search pane, the list pane initially including a listing of data items, the search pane initially being in a simplified form, the search pane including a first text box; receiving, by the computing device, free form alphanumeric entry of a first search query in the first text box; receiving, by the computing device, a request to initiate the first search query; executing, by the computing device, the first search query and displaying a first results list in the list pane after receiving entry of the first search query, the first results list listing data items that match the first search query; receiving, by the computing device, a request to display an expanded form of the search pane that includes the first textbox and a plurality of additional textboxes (715, 720, 725, 730), each of the additional textboxes being associated with a pre-selected property of data items that defines a search criteria associated with the additional textbox, each pre-selected property being represented by a label adjacent to its associated additional textbox; receiving, by the computing device, entry of a search string in at least one of the additional textboxes; receiving, by the computing device, a request to initiate a second search query; executing, by the computing device, the second search query and displaying a second results list in the list pane; characterized by receiving, by the computing device, a request to customize a pre-selected property associated with the at least one textbox of the plurality of additional textboxes by selecting a criteria textbox label of the at least one additional textbox; automatically customizing, by the computing device, the at least one additional textbox by changing the underlying functionality of the search pane to apply the search string entered in the at least one additional textbox to properties of searched data items associated with the selected criteria textbox label; automatically populating, by the computing device, the first textbox with a syntax and a structure of the second search query based on the search string entered in the at least one additional textbox; and removing, by the computing device, the expanded form of the search pane and redisplaying the simplified form so that the first textbox is displayed without the additional textboxes, wherein the second results list includes one or more of the data items having instances of the modified property matching the search string in the second search query.