# Advanced search

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

![](https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI%2F-Meg663eAXop3-9s5vWb%2F-MegLt51RMTNq4NBtGER%2FAdvanced%20search.png?alt=media\&token=16978cba-628a-4390-b055-b99aba54cee1)

### How to perform an advanced search

After you select **Advanced Search**, you will first be asked to specify which [**Jurisdiction**](https://support.vlex.com/support-1/settings#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.

![](https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI%2F-Meg663eAXop3-9s5vWb%2F-MegLzDEB6AhUSK-u6lj%2FAdvanced%20search%201.gif?alt=media\&token=fe486877-6dcd-4dbb-9046-00ea340713bb)

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

![](https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI%2F-Meg663eAXop3-9s5vWb%2F-MegM2G4o9FjnpwMr1-T%2Fcontent%20type.png?alt=media\&token=9f7858d3-ba68-4c65-8f69-1ea089c273e7)

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](https://support.vlex.com/getting-started/quick-start-guide/boolean-operators-1) 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](https://support.vlex.com/document-types/books-and-journals#filters-for-books-and-journals)
* [Case law](https://support.vlex.com/document-types/case-law#filters-for-case-law)
* [Legislation](https://support.vlex.com/document-types/legislation#filters-for-legislation)
* [News](https://support.vlex.com/document-types/news-and-blogs#filters-for-newspapers)
* [Dockets (UK)](https://support.vlex.com/document-types/dockets)
  {% endhint %}

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

{% hint style="info" %}
If you want to create an [alert](https://support.vlex.com/features/stay-updated/alerts), 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 %}