How to use the Advanced Search function

Jonathangus · July 2023

So, I've been having a play, and I think I've finally got my head round how some of this works. (Although I'm still not convinced it all works quite as expected, so more research is needed!)

The first thing is to access the the Advanced Search. The easiest way is probably to search as normal, then click Adv Search at the top of the results.

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/1a345f4add19b495dd688e581403f98132e77cd67e4a2f37b9

Most of the options are fairly straightforward. The forum picker is quite useful to narrow your search down to a particular section. You can also Ctrl + click to select multiple sections, or to deselect one. When using the Advanced Search, it works best if you use the indicated Search button.

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/120f31cfa56847b5b8485fbbbc2a9985e53913db79e1ca694e

To use the special operators, the important thing is to select Extended, as shown.

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/82b0a9e5ad8e6e29d706de9e44ca52702be4f666fdb1ced86f

Search examples

Click the example links then the Search button to see the results!

EDIT: the forum software changed some of the syntax into clickable "@" tags when I posted.

OR operator

Syntax: Gibson | Stratocaster

Finds posts containing either Gibson or Stratocaster (or both). Click for example.

NOT operator

Syntax: Gibson !Stratocaster

Finds posts containing Gibson but not Stratocaster. Click for example.

Exact Phrase

Syntax: "Gibson Stratocaster"

Finds posts containing the exact phrase Gibson Stratocaster. Click for example.

User search

Syntax: @user Jonathangus

Finds posts by the specified user. Click for example.

Title search

Syntax: @title Imgur

Finds posts containing the specified word in the title. Click for example.

Body search

(Stop laughing at the back.)

Syntax: @body needs a Bigsby

Finds posts containing the specified words in the body of the thread (although not necessarily in the right order). Click for example.

Combinations

Syntax: @user Jonathangus @title Imgur

Finds posts by the specified user with the specified words in the title. Click for example.

Syntax: @body "needs a Bigsby"

Finds posts containing the exact phrase in the body of the thread. Click for example. (Although I only get three results, which I know can't be right!)