Simple search

The simple search searches for words in the Title, Scope and Content, and Physical Description fields of the catalogue. It is accessed via the Google-style search box in the top left-hand corner of the catalogue homepage. Type the word you wish to search for into the box and click the 'Search' button.

You may wish to combine search terms in your simple searches using the Boolean AND, OR, NOT searching options:

• + represents Boolean AND, meaning the search result must include this word
• - represents Boolean NOT, meaning the search result must exclude this word
• | represents Boolean OR, meaning the search result may include this word

Place one of these symbols before a word or phrase to apply it. If no symbols are used, Boolean AND is assumed. For example:

York -Minster

searches all configured fields for the word 'York' and excludes any records with the word 'Minster' from the search results.

Typing a field name followed by a colon then a search term, means only that particular field will be searched. If no field names are specified, all configured fields are searched. For example:

Title:York

searches for the word 'York' in the Title field only, whereas:

York

searches all configured fields for the word 'York'.

It is important to enter search words/phrases carefully to ensure you find the intended results. For example:

Title:York Minster

searches for records which have the word 'York' in the Title field and the word 'Minster' in any configured field.

Use (double) quotes around a search term to return exact matching phrases. For example:

"York Minster"

searches all configured fields only for the exact phrase 'York Minster': i.e. the two words together with a space between, in the specified order. For example:

York Minster

searches all configured fields for the words 'York' and 'Minster' anywhere: i.e. not necessarily next to each other or in the specified order.

Advanced search

Unlike simple searches, advanced searches do not require you to enter command syntax such as the Boolean symbols or to specify field names.

Follow the on-screen annotations next to and inside the search entry boxes. These provide guidance on performing searches for records containing all the words entered, records containing at least one of the words entered or records without the words entered.

By default, the Boolean AND is assumed. For example, if you enter 'York' in the Title field and 'Minster' in the Scope and Content field, only records containing both 'York' and 'Minster' (in the respective fields) will be found. Records containing just one of these words will not be shown in the search results.