NetDocuments: Understanding Boolean Searching
As the volume of data and information continues to grow in organizations, it becomes increasingly important to have effective tools for searching and retrieving relevant information. NetDocuments is a cloud-based document management system that provides a range of search capabilities, including Boolean searching. In this article, we will explore what Boolean searching is and how it can be used in NetDocuments.
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What is Boolean Searching?
Boolean searching is a type of search that allows users to combine keywords and phrases using operators such as "AND", "OR", and "NOT" to produce more accurate and relevant search results. By using Boolean operators, users can specify the relationships between keywords and phrases and create complex search queries that reflect their specific information needs.
Using Boolean Searching in NetDocuments
NetDocuments provides a range of search capabilities, including basic keyword searching, advanced searching, and Boolean searching. To use Boolean searching in NetDocuments, follow these steps:
- Log in to your NetDocuments account and navigate to the search bar.
- Click the ,,, (ellipses) to display the Advances search dialog box
- Enter your search terms, using Boolean operators to specify the relationships between keywords and phrases.
- Click the "Search" button to retrieve your results.
Here are some examples of how Boolean operators can be used in NetDocuments:
- AND: Use "AND" to retrieve documents that contain all of the specified keywords or phrases. For example, "contract AND agreement" will retrieve documents that contain both the words "contract" and "agreement".
- OR: Use "OR" to retrieve documents that contain any of the specified keywords or phrases. For example, "contract OR agreement" will retrieve documents that contain either the word "contract" or the word "agreement".
- NOT: Use "NOT" to exclude documents that contain a specific keyword or phrase. For example, "contract NOT employment" will retrieve documents that contain the word "contract" but not the word "employment".
Tips for Effective Boolean Searching in NetDocuments
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of Boolean searching in NetDocuments:
- Use parentheses to group keywords and phrases. For example, "(contract OR agreement) AND (vendor OR supplier)" will retrieve documents that contain either "contract" or "agreement" and either "vendor" or "supplier".
- Use quotation marks to search for exact phrases. For example, "employee benefits" will retrieve documents that contain the words "employee" and "benefits" in any order, while "employee benefits" (with quotation marks) will retrieve documents that contain the exact phrase "employee benefits".
- Experiment with different combinations of Boolean operators to refine your search results. Remember that the more specific your search query, the more accurate and relevant your results will be.
Conclusion
Boolean searching is a powerful tool for retrieving accurate and relevant information from large volumes of data. By using Boolean operators in NetDocuments, users can create complex search queries that reflect their specific information needs and retrieve the documents they need quickly and efficiently. With the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you can become a more effective searcher and get the most out of NetDocuments' search capabilities.
Contact training@mcleod-law.com for additional information and training.