Introduction to Search & Browse Types

There are four basic ways to search for records within CollectiveAccess: Find, Browse, Quicksearch, and Advanced Search. Each method generates different results, ranging from general to more specific. Each of these methods also streamlines search queries in CollectiveAccess and generates accurate, and relevant, results.

Find

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The Find tab located on the home page of CollectiveAccess. Each primary table is listed under Find.

Using Find enables a targeted search for records within a single primary table of metadata elements. The Find option is the second tab of the Global Navigation bar. Searching using Find generates results from Objects, Entities, Collections, or any other primary table that is supported by CollectiveAccess.

There are several filters provided that narrow down search results: sorting by relevance, title, type, and identifier. In addition, the display of the search results can also be managed, and seen either in list or thumbnail form. A default or custom display for results is available. Search results can also be exported as printed labels, or as a delimited file for use in Excel or PDF.

Within Find, options exist within each primary table which determines the scope of the search criteria: Basic, Advanced Search, Search Builder, and Browse.

Browse

Browse filters results by primary table, with additional facets that narrow down a search query within the database. Browse is a method for viewing all records of a specific type, and allows sorting and filtering records based on designated attributes, which are configurable.

Browse is a search option in the local navigation bar under Find. Options for grouping search results will appear, and this selection will narrow any query. “Start Over” will erase any selected facets and begin a new Browse query.

QuickSearch

Using QuickSearch runs a full-text query across the entire database, and organizes results according to primary tables. QuickSearch is located at the top right of any CollectiveAccess user interface. The results provide a database-wide context for any search query. The top 100 results for a search query are displayed. QuickSearch will process queries with single words, numbers, or phrases.