The information below describes how to create a search query in the Custom Boolean field.
To search for multiple words, separate them with spaces. This is the equivalent of using OR between the words. Documents display with the word(s) highlighted.
NOTE: The search engine understands the language construct of the entered text and returns results with the terms highlighted accordingly. The results returned are based on the meaning and context of the search terms, rather than results that only match the text.
To search for an exact phrase, surround it with double quotation marks. For example, "Collin County".
A simple query uses words and phrases separated by spaces.
NOTE: The search engine ignores the case of the search terms entered. For example, TEXAS, texas, and Texas return the same results.
A search operator is a Boolean connector to be applied to the search terms.
To create robust queries, you can incorporate optional operators as part of your query.
You can type the operator in the Custom Boolean field or right-click and choose from the pop-up menu.
The operators must be entered as UPPERCASE.
Concept Operator
Selects documents that contain all the search terms.
Example: speaker AND appoint AND member
Result: Displays documents that contain speaker, appoint, and member as well as any related terms.
Proximity Operator
Selects documents containing specified search terms, where the closer the search terms are within a document, the higher the document's rank.
Example: public NEAR school
Result: Displays documents that contain public, school, and that are in close proximity to each other.
Proximity Operator
Selects documents containing two or more search terms within a specified number of words of each other where N is a whole number. The closer the search terms are within a document, the higher the document's rank.
Example: majority NEAR5 votes NEAR5 election
Result: Displays documents that contain majority, votes, and election within 5 words of each other.
Concept Operator
Excludes documents containing the words or phrase.
Example: alcohol NOT beverage
Result: Displays documents containing alcohol, but not the word beverage.
Concept Operator
Selects documents that contain at least one of the terms.
Example: sky rocket OR skyrocket OR missile
Result: Displays documents that contain at least one of the search terms, or a word related to at least one of them.
Wildcard Character |
Description |
Example |
Result |
|
* |
Specifies zero or more alphanumeric characters. |
stat* NOT station |
Displays documents that contain words that begin with stat, but not station. The document will not display if it contains both. |