As I currently understand it, if you create a custom field and make it apply to all projects then it shows up in all projects and is searchable across all projects ... that works fine. What I need it actually the opposite, where I create a custom field .. apply it to a a few projects and want to search across those projects to get a consolidated report ..rather than searching each project and combining the reports (PITA !!)

The rational is that the custom field is NOT applicable to all projects (think HW vs SW) so we do not want to clutter up the project forms with unused or unnecessary fields (making it down right confusing for the user !!

Also, at the global search level, the custom field cannot be added as a filter (not in the list !!) Is there a way to do this or is the feature needed to be added ??