Advanced search instructions
Search fields
With the advanced search, you can perform more complex searches. The advanced search features several search fields into which you can type search terms and phrases as well as Boolean search operators (AND, OR, NOT).
Every search field has a drop-down menu from which you can choose to limit the search, for example, by author, subject or publisher. Several search terms may be combined by using multiple search fields or search groups at the same time. The same Boolean operator will always be applied to the search term within a single search group (AND, OR, NOT).
Search groups
Add search group — Adds a new group of search fields.
Remove search group — Removes the search group.
The relationships between several search groups are determined by using the search operators ALL groups or ANY groups.
Limits
You can limit an advanced search by language, content type, usage rights or year of manufacture.
A single search may include several languages and material types.
You can further refine your search on the search results page by filtering by content providers.
Geographical region
If you want to find material from a specific region of Finland, you can choose it on the map. You can zoom in or out depending on how extensive an area you wish to include in your search. Please note that not all of the material is grouped by geographical location.
Tip! If you try searching by the name of the region, you may find more results.
Example of advanced search
Search with several search terms and groups
You want to find material on the cultural history of India or China.
- Type India into the top search field and China into the lower one.
- Make sure that you have selected the search operator With any of these (OR). Your results will display material on either China or India.
NB! If you select With all these (AND) as the search operator, your search will find material that have to do with both India and China.
- Add a new search group by clicking on +Add search group.
- Type cultural history into the search field of the new search group.
- Finally, combine these search groups by selecting ALL groups from the drop-down menu underneath.
Search by media type
With media types, you can search for materials with files attached to them. You can directly use the exact media type such as image/tiff or audio/mp4 or a broader media type: image, text, audio, video and 3D.
Searching for a specific media type
You want to search for materials with PDF files attached.
- Enter application/pdf in the search field.
- Filter the search using the menu next to the search field. Select Media type in the menu.
A list of media types is available here.
Using the media type as a filter
You want to search for video files, but the video format is not that important.
Select video in the Media type menu under Limit to.
A list of formats available under each media type is available here.