These are the advanced search query techniques you can use.
|
Type |
Special character(s) |
Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Phrase |
" " |
Use " " to find documents that contain your search terms next to each other. Example: |
|
Boolean |
AND |
When AND is used, all the terms in your search will appear in the returned documents, even if the terms are far apart from each other. Example: NB: this is the default setting, even without adding AND between terms. |
|
Boolean |
OR |
Use OR when at least one of your search terms must appear in the results. You can use OR to search for synonyms, alternate spellings, or abbreviations. Example: |
|
Boolean |
NOT |
Use NOT to exclude specific terms from search results. Example: |
|
Wildcard |
* |
Use the wildcard * to find a root word, plus all the words made by adding letters to the end of it. Example: NB: you can replace any character within a word e.g. ba*k |
|
Wildcard |
? |
Use the wildcard ? when you are unsure of how a term ends. Replace a character in the term, using a question mark for each character you want to replace. Example: |
|
Proximity |
~[0-9] |
Use the proximity search ~7, this lets you look for terms based on whether they occur within a specified distance of each other. Example: |
|
Fuzzy |
~ |
Use the the fuzzy search ~ to find results even when the terms are partially spelt or misspelt. Example: |
|
Grouping |
( ) |
Use grouping ( ) when performing more complex searches. Example: |
|
Boosting |
^ |
Use boosting ^ to promote the importance of a term. Example: |
has the same meaning as in the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations done at Vienna on 24 April 1963 [United Nations Treaty Series, vol. 596, p.261.], and any reference to the functions of a consular post is to be read in accordance with that Convention
