Boolean searching (AND, OR, NOT)

Boolean searching allows you to combine search terms using the three Boolean operators AND, OR and NOT. To execute a Boolean search, enter the required terms separated by the Boolean operators you wish to use.

When you transfer more than one search term from a browse index to a search box, UKOP Online automatically combines them using the Boolean operator OR.

AND

The AND operator retrieves all entries that contain all of the terms entered. This normally retrieves fewer entries than searching one of the terms on its own.

For example:

If you wish to search for the word 'and' in a phrase (and therefore do not want it to be a Boolean operator) you should type the phrase into the search box and enclose it in double quotes. For example "crime and drugs" will find the whole phrase 'crime and drugs'.

OR

The OR operator retrieves all entries which contain one or more of the terms entered. This retrieves more entries than searching one of the terms on its own.

For example:

If you wish to search for the word 'or' in a phrase (and therefore do not want it to be a Boolean operator) you should type the phrase into the search box and enclose it in double quotes. For example: "army or navy" will find the whole phrase 'army or navy'.

NOT

The NOT operator retrieves all entries that contain the first term entered but not the second.

For example:

If you wish to search for the word 'not' in a phrase (and therefore do not want it to be a Boolean operator) you should type the phrase into the search box and enclose it in double quotes. For example: "defence not ministry" will find the whole phrase 'defence not ministry'.

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