Advanced search options and help

Third Sector's search allows simple single or multiple searches against our huge archive of articles. However, a few simple techniques allow you to get even more out of its search function.

You can create sophisticated searches using operators, which are special words used in the search/keyword field such as "AND" to ensure the search works in a specific way.

OR

This operator allows a search to return results that contain any of the search terms you provide. However it is the default and therefore you do not need to provide it.
Example: A search for charity OR fundraiser is the same as for charity fundraiser because the search defaults to the OR operator

AND

This operator ensures that all words can be found in each of the search results
Example: You wish to search for articles that contain the words third and sector – but not necessarily in that order or next to each other – just somewhere in the article.
Solution: Enter this into the keywords field: third AND sector 

+

The "+" operator ensures the term after the "+" symbol exists somewhere in each search result.
Example: You wish to search for articles that contain either the words accounting or tax but always contain the word charity.
Solution: Enter this into the keywords field: accounting tax +charity

-

The "-" operator ensures term after the "-" symbol DOES NOT exists somewhere in each search result.
Example: You wish to search for articles that contain the word youth but must not contain the word yob.
Solution: Enter this into the keywords field: youth -yob

NOT

The "NOT" operator excludes words that you do NOT want to be found anywhere in the search results.
Example: You wish to search for articles that contain the word fundraiser but DO NOT contain the word chugger.
Solution: Enter this into the keywords field: fundraiser NOT chugger

Phrases

If you wish to search against multiple words as an exact phrase, you can do this using double quote marks.
Example: You wish to search for articles that contain the exact phrase social enterprise
Solution: Enter this into the keywords field: "social enterprise"

Combining operators – Advanced Searches

You can combine the operators above to create complex, grouped searches using parentheses.

Example: You wish to search for articles that contain the phrase public benefit and MUST mention the Charity Commission
Solution: Enter this into the keywords field: "public benefit" AND "Charity Commission"

Example: You wish to search for articles that contain the word fundraising and EITHER  charity OR voluntary
Solution: Enter this into the keywords field: fundraising AND (charity OR voluntary)