Search function

[Mookie86]

Do we not have the capability to search for an exact phrase, or am I missing it?  I just waded through 7 pages of "hits" from a search for home school.  It flagged every post where home and school were mentioned.  I used Advanced Search, and I see only "Match all words" as the narrowest option.  Is there a way to add "Match exact phrase" option?

[SilverLining]

Modifiers
Using the simple or advanced search methods, you can still use search modifiers. That is, powerful special characters which modify the way SMF handles your search string.

• Phrase search - use double quotes (") around your term ("search term") to search for the search term as a phrase instead of individual words.
• Excluding terms - use a minus sign in front of terms you'd like to exclude from the search result. For instance, "search -term" will search for "search" but not "term". The minus sign must have a space prior to it.

[Mookie86]

Very helpful info., and thanks for the quick reply!  Perhaps add that text box on the search engine page?

[SilverLining]

Your welcome.

I don't think our admin. is able to change what it says on that page.

I clicked the HELP button and found it there.

[rebekahc]

I might could break into the code and find a way to add it, but I really won't have time to mess with it for a while.  I always thought those search modifiers were considered common knowledge.  I use them all the time with Google, etc.

[Mookie86]

I never thought to look in the Help section regarding this issue.  Thanks!

Please don't change anything for me!  If it's common knowledge but somehow I didn't know it, then there's no need to change anything.  Even if you decide to change it, there's no rush to do so.

I have vague, distant memories of searching for exact phrases in quotation marks, but I haven't used it in so long that I forgot about it.  For awhile, I've had a "search exact phrase" option on library websites, on other message boards, and other places.