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At its simplest, a query can be just a word or a phrase. But with the tips on this page, you can expand the focus of your query to give you more complete results. These tips will get you started with basic query language and acquaint you with the full power of Microsoft Index Server.

  • Look for words with the same prefix. For example, in your query form type key* or *key* or key% or %key% to find key, keying, keyhole, keyboard, and so on.

  • Search with the keyword AND (&) to find instances for all the keywords, for example :

    Abbott AND Costello

    This query finds all pages that mention both Abbott and Costello.

  • Refine your queries with the NOT (~) keywords to exclude certain text from your search. For example, if you want to find all instances of surfing but not the Net, write the following query:

    surfing NOT the Net

  • Add the OR ( | ) keyword to find all instances of either one word or another, for example:

    Abbott OR Costello

    This query finds all pages that mention Abbott or Costello or both.

  • Enter keywords if you want Index Server to take them literally or phrase. For instance, if you type the following query::

    system manager

    Index Server will literally look for the complete phrase system manager

    Index Server will create a query for you automatically and begin the search. Note that when you're using free text queries, the regular query language features are disabled and keywords such as AND, OR, and NEAR are interpreted as normal words.


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Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE)