Search by Wildcard
Narrow your search using wildcards. To do so, input the wildcard into the Search field along with your search term.
- * or % (asterisk or percent)
- Returns any string of zero or more characters. For example, searching for M*ord returns results of both "McCord" and "Mulford".
- _ (underscore)
- Returns any single character. In some cases, this works better than using an asterisk (*) because it narrows your search to one character (or however many characters that matches the number of underscores used). For example, _heryl returns both "Cheryl" and "Sheryl".
- [n]
- Where "n" is any number of characters that are possibilities you want the system to return. For example, searching for zip codes 3009[123] returns "30091", "30092", and "30093".
- [^] (caret)
- Returns any single character not within the specified range ([^aeiou]). For example, searching for 3009[^0123] returns "30094" through "30099". If you use it as shown - [^] - with no other characters specified with either your comma search or column search, then it will return the records where there is data in the field and filter out all the records where there is no data in the field.
- or
- Returns strings matching both parameters. For example, bryan or brian returns all the Bryans and all the Brians.
- [ ] (square brackets)
- Works only with single-digit numbers. For example, [1-4] returns all numbers beginning with 1, 2, 3 or 4. When you want to find data within a range, consider using the Advanced Search to build your View.
- [n-n]
- Where "n-n" is a range of numbers or letters that are possibilities you want the system to return. For example, searching for zip codes 3009[1-4] returns "30091", "30092", "30093", and "30094".
- Null or Not Null
- Most useful in column search, enter Null or Not Null into the column to return either all records where the field is either null or not null. Note: It doesn't matter if you capitalize your search, but if you search for someone named "Null" or with "Null" in their address, be sure to search for nul or nul* because searching by Null returns null (blank) fields rather than people name Null.
- Quotes
- Search with quotes around your search term to return exact matches and only exact matches. For example, if you search for 1, you'll return "1", "10", "11", "18", "110", and so on, but if you search for "1" you'll only get "1" in your results. Perfect for when you know exactly what you want!
Tip: Want to see how to use wildcards to refine your searches? Check out the Searching In the Wild* webinar in the MinistrySmart Academy!