# Using the Query Builder
### Summary
Learn how to use the Query Builder to construct complex, precise searches by filtering for specific judges, law firms, case types, and date ranges without needing to memorize Boolean codes.
### Why This is Important
While the standard search bar is great for quick lookups, legal research often requires more granularity. You might need to find *"all Patent cases filed in Texas in 2023 where your opposing counsel represents the defendant."* The Query Builder allows you to "plug and play" these criteria to generate highly specific results instantly.
### Accessing the Query Builder
1. Click into the main **Search Bar** on the Dashboard.
2. Select the **Query Builder** tab (located between "Cheat Sheet" and "Jurisdiction Selector").
The Query Builder organizes advanced filters into easy-to-use fields.
### How to Build Your Query
The Query Builder is organized into logical sections (quadrants) to help you refine your search:
#### 1. Party & Representation (Top Right)
This is the most commonly used section. You can filter by:
* **Party Name:** (e.g., `Google`, `Pfizer`)
* **Firm:** Find cases where a specific law firm is listed as counsel.
* **Attorney:** Search for individual lawyers.
* **Role:** Specify if the party is a Plaintiff, Defendant, Debtor, etc.
#### 2. Case Details (Bottom Right)
Refine by the characteristics of the lawsuit itself:
* **Docket No:** If you have a partial or full case number.
* **Case Type / Nature of Suit:** Select from a dropdown list (e.g., "830 Patent," "440 Civil Rights").
* **Judge:** Enter a judge's name to see their specific docket.
#### 3. Text & Keywords (Top Left)
* **This word:** Search for exact phrases or keywords within the docket text.
* **Boolean Logic:** The fields support connectors like `AND`, `OR`, and `NOT`.
* *Example:* Entering `Apple OR Samsung` in the Party field will find cases involving either company.
#### 4. Date Ranges (Bottom Left)
Filter by critical timelines:
* **Filed Date:** When the case started.
* **Terminated Date:** When the case closed.
* **Last Updated:** When Docket Alarm last pulled fresh data for the case.
### Step-by-Step Example: Finding Competitor Litigation
Let's say you want to find all **Contract** disputes involving **Company A** filed since **2024**.
1. Open **Query Builder**.
2. In the **Party Name** field, type `Company A`.
3. In the **Case Type** dropdown, type `contract`.
4. In the **Filed Date** section, set the range to `01/01/2024` to `Present`.
5. Click **Search**.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Pro Tip:** Each field in the Query Builder acts as a "mini search bar." You can use Boolean operators inside them. For example, in the **Case Type** field, you could type `(patent) OR (trademark)` to see cases involving either case type.
{% endhint %}
#### Related Articles
* [How to Search for a Case](/docket-alarm/docket-alarm-home/search-and-discovery/how-to-search-for-a-case.md)
* [Using Supplemental Search](/docket-alarm/docket-alarm-home/search-and-discovery/using-supplemental-search.md)
#### Need more help?
If your query returns too many results, try adding a **Jurisdiction** filter using the "All Courts" button next to the search bar.
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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:
```
GET https://support.vlex.com/docket-alarm/docket-alarm-home/search-and-discovery/using-the-query-builder.md?ask=
```
The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.