# Advanced search

**Advanced search** is available from the main menu. When minimised, look for the magnifying glass icon.

![](/files/-MegLt51RMTNq4NBtGER)

### How to perform an advanced search

After you select **Advanced Search**, you will first be asked to specify which [**Jurisdiction**](/support-1/settings.md#jurisdiction)(s) you wish to search across. It will be automatically set to your default jurisdiction, but you can choose to add more or **Select All Countries** at the top of the page to search everywhere.

![](/files/-MegLzDEB6AhUSK-u6lj)

Secondly, define the type of [**Content**](/support-1/frequently-asked-questions/navigate-documents.md) you want to find. It will be pre-set for **All content**, but you can choose to only search across particular types of information.

![](/files/-MegM2G4o9FjnpwMr1-T)

Enter your search terms in the **Words** search fields. You do not have to use them all; leave any that you do not need blank. Each field has a purpose:

* **All the words**: can be used for broad searches. Enter relevant words and the service will search  for them across the whole document.
* **The exact phrase**: shows results containing the exact phrase you type here.
* **The words in proximity**: expands the results to synonyms and other similar words.
* **Any word**: will show results that contain all the words you have typed, or just some of them.
* **None of the words**: the search will exclude any document containing the words you type here.
* **Advanced operators**: allows you to write search operators like AND, OR, AND NOT, etc. You can find them explained in the[ Boolean operators](/getting-started/quick-start-guide/boolean-operators-1.md) article.

If you wish to, you can use **Filters,** which will amend the search fields based on the type of content you select. 

{% hint style="info" %}
Find out more about filters for specific content types:

* [Books and journals](/document-types/books-and-journals.md#filters-for-books-and-journals)
* [Case law](/document-types/case-law.md#filters-for-case-law)
* [Legislation](/document-types/legislation.md#filters-for-legislation)
* [News](/document-types/news-and-blogs.md#filters-for-newspapers)
* [Dockets (UK)](/document-types/dockets.md)
  {% endhint %}

If your results are still too broad, you can filter them further from the [Results page](/getting-started/search-results.md).

{% hint style="info" %}
If you want to create an [alert](/features/stay-updated/alerts.md), instead of clicking **Search**, click **Save as an alert.**
{% endhint %}

## Video walkthrough

{% embed url="<https://vimeo.com/917899757>" %}
Short video, narrating the three ways to search.
{% endembed %}


---

# 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/getting-started/quick-start-guide/advanced-search.md?ask=<question>
```

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.