To Support Center search combines the ease of a quick search with the power and flexibility of an advanced search. Just type in some keywords in the search field and click the Go button. The engine will use the settings in the dropdown interface to return the pages that contain all the keywords in your query. Note that by default all products and all areas are selected. You can change the dropdown to reflect the product and area you want to focus on prior to beginning the search, or you can filter the area from the search results page.
The search, by default, returns pages that include all terms included in the search box. You do not need to include any special operators (+, AND) to achieve this; however, the use of some special characters may allow you to the results you need more quickly. The following table defines the available operators and provides some usage examples.
|
Query operator |
Search action |
Usage notes and examples |
|---|---|---|
|
+ |
Includes all documents that contain the term immediately following the + operator. This is the equivalent of the default search mode and does not normally need to be specified. A logical AND. |
The + must immediately precede your search term (no spaces). +implement +persistence +implement persistence implement +persistence implement persistence Each of the above examples is equivalent and returns all documents that contain both 'implement' and 'persistence'. |
|
- |
A logical ANDNOT.
|
The - must immediately precede your search term (no spaces). query geodatabase -ArcSDE This search returns all documents that include 'query' and 'geodatabase', but not if these documents also includes 'ArcSDE'. |
|
"abc def ghi" |
Returns only documents that contain the exact phrase specified within the quotation marks. |
"implement persistence" This search returns all documents that contain the phrase "implement persistence". |
|
abc* |
Includes all documents containing terms that begin with the specified text. A prefix wildcard. |
The * must immediately follow your search text (no spaces). Wildcard expressions cannot be applied to phrases. persist* Documents returned from this search will include terms that start with 'persist', including 'persistence' and 'persisting'. |
|
(term1 term2 ...) +(term1 term2 ...) |
Includes all documents that contain any of the terms listed within the parentheses. A logical OR. |
You cannot use parentheses within another set of parentheses. In addition, '+' and '-' operators are not recognized when used within the parentheses. (axl arcims) service service (axl arcims) service +(axl arcims) Each of the above expressions are equivalent and return all documents that contain the terms 'service' and either 'axl' or 'ArcIMS'. |
|
-(term1 term2 ...) |
Excludes all documents that contain all of the terms within the parentheses. |
You cannot use parentheses within another set of parentheses. In addition, '+' and '-' operators are not recognized when used within the parentheses. service -(ArcIMS ArcGIS) -(ArcIMS ArcGIS) +service Each of the above expressions are equivalent and return all documents that contain the term 'service' but do not contain both 'ArcIMS' and 'ArcGIS'. |
|
ascr# dfor# dmod# gd# geop# list# odl# tech# wh# |
Allows you to search for a specific item if you know its ID. ascr# - ArcScripts dfor# - Discussion Forums dmod# - Data Model gd# - GIS Dictionary geop# - Geoprocessing list# - E-mail lists odl# - Downloads, White Papers, Service Packs tech# - Technical Article wh# - Web Help Note: The strings, with the ID, as listed here, are displayed on the search results page, in the metadata section (gray text) below the item's summary. |
The keywords must immediately precede the article's numerical ID (no spaces). They cannot be used along with other operators, but they can be combined in a parenthetical, comma-delimited list. (ascr13616, dfor174063, dmod23) The above search returns ArcSript 13616, Forums posting 74063, and Data Model 23. (gd1986, geop4, list39993) The above search returns GIS dictionary 1986. Geoprocessing 4, E-mail Lists posting 39993 odl367 The above search returns White Paper 1367. tech23759 The above search returns Technical Article 23759. |
Whether you just type some keywords into the search box, purposely limit your results to a specific area by using the dropdown interface, or apply some of the advanced parameters to further refine your query, you will still be able to narrow or expand the list of matches by adjusting your query from the results page itself.
There are three sections on the search results page:
Note: If your query string was ambiguous, a did you mean option will be displayed immediately above the matches for your search criteria. If that option matches your query more close, click the link to search for the suggested criteria.
You can use the links in the Filter results by section to narrow or expand the results for your initial search query. Below are some typical search filtering tasks and questions:
|
How do I... |
Answer |
|---|---|
|
Determine which content area the results displayed are derived from? |
The Filter results by area at the top of the results page highlights the area searched. |
|
Search other content areas? 1 |
Use the links in the Filter results by area at the top of the results page to search all other available content areas. |
|
Search the EDN site? 2 |
Click the Search EDN tab above the results to search select areas of the EDN site. |
1 Only the areas containing matching results are displayed.
2 A search of the EDN site, initiated from the Support Center, excludes matches for products that are not contained in the EDN program. The full EDN search is available at http://edn.esri.com.
Below are the most common questions concerning the various features of the search engine.
|
Question |
Answer |
|---|---|
|
How do I save my search preferences? |
The search settings are saved in a cookie as soon as you click the Go button, that includes the display of the dropdown interface. As you navigate through the Support Center, or whenever you come back to it, the search dropdown and its settings will be as you last left them. |
|
Why is the search dropdown open even though I closed it before going to another section of the Support Center? |
The search settings are saved in a cookie as soon as you click the Go button, that includes the display of the dropdown interface. If you want the dropdown to remain closed, you will need to perform another search before moving to another section of the Support Center. |
|
Is the search engine case sensitive? |
No, the search engine doesn't recognize capitalization. For example, these queries will produce the same results: ArcGIS Geodatabase Model |
|
Can I use relational operators? |
No, the search engine ignores these relational operators: = != < > <= >= |
|
Can I include special characters in my query string? |
Not really, the search engine ignores the following special characters:
! ` ' % ^
# & + The asterisk is used as the wild card operator. |