Getting started
To search for a page or document, enter one or more search words in the search box. Multiple words should be separated by spaces. Click the 'Search' button next to the box to start searching. A page showing the results of the search will appear, with links to pages that match all the search words entered.
If you want to search for a certain phrase, put double quotation marks around the phrase, e.g. "cordless telephone".
It is also possible to search for phrases and single words simultaneously. If you enter "cordless telephone" test in the search box, the search engine will look for pages and documents containing both the phrase 'cordless telephone' and the word 'test'.
If your search is unsuccessful
If you are not pleased with the search results, try one of the following methods to improve your search.
If you receive no or too few results:
- Check that the spelling of your search words is correct
- Try a synonym or a similar term
- Remove one or several search words
- Split up a phrase into single words, i.e. remove the quotation marks.
- If you are not certain about the spelling of a certain word, just type the first few letters of the word, followed by a *. The search engine will then look for pages containing words beginning with the letters entered (Example: tele* will match all words beginning with tele*, e.g. telephone, telepathic, television)
- Use advanced search options (see below)
If you receive too many results:
- Try entering more relevant search words, or use phrases to narrow your search.
- Use advanced search options (see below)
| Search expression | Explanation |
|---|---|
| peter | Search engine will look for the word 'peter' |
| peter swims | Search engine will look for the words 'peter' and 'swims' |
| "peter swims" | Search engine will look for the phrase 'peter swims' |
| Peter | Search engine will look for 'Peter', with capital P |
| +peter +swims | Search engine will look for the words 'peter' and 'swims' |
| +peter -swims | Search engine will look for the word 'peter' in pages where 'swims' is not present |
| peter AND swims | Search engine will look for the words 'peter' and 'swims' |
| peter OR swims | Search engine will look for 'peter' or 'swims' (i.e. either 'peter', 'swims', or both) |
| peter NOT swims | Search engine will look for the word 'peter' in pages where 'swims' is not present |
| peter* | Search engine will look for words beginning with 'peter' |
| p?ter | Search engine will look for words where the '?' character represents any letter, e.g. 'peter' or 'pater' |
| p*ter | Search engine will look for words where the '*' character represents any number of letters, e.g. 'peter', 'porter' or 'perimeter' |
