Desktop's search operators are query words or symbols that that perform special actions. These operators allow you to find what you're looking for quickly and accurately, and offer some additional control beyond the Advanced Search page.
Desktop doesn't currently support boolean operators (AND, OR, etc.) or wildcard and other special characters (*, ?, !, etc.).
| Operator | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| filetype: | Search for items of a particular filetype. | filetype:ppt
This will return only PowerPoint files matching your search term. |
| - | Exclude a word from your search results. | dogs -cats
This will return results that contain 'dogs' but not 'cats.' |
| " " | Search for an exact phrase. | "third quarter sales"
This will return results that contain the exact phrase 'third quarter sales.' |
| site: | Search for web history from a particular site. | site:www.google.com doodle
This will return results from your Google web history that mentions 'doodle.' |
| under: | Search within a particular folder or directory and all of its subfolders. | report under:"C:\work\"
This will return any files that contain the term 'report' in the C:\work directory. |
| in: | Search within a particular folder or directory and exclude its subfolders. | pasta in: "C:\recipes"
This will return any files that contain the term 'pasta' in your C:\recipes directory. |
| machine: | Search within a particular computer if you've enabled the Search Across Computers feature. | vacation machine:HOME-COMPUTER
This will return any files that contain the term 'vacation' from the computer named 'HOME-COMPUTER.' |
| subject: | Search for emails with a particular subject line. | subject:dinner
This will return emails that contain 'dinner' in the subject line. |
| to: | Search for emails with a particular recipient. | to:amy
This will return emails received by Amy. |
| from: | Search for emails with a particular sender | from:david
This will return emails sent by David. |
| cc:, bcc: | Search for emails with a particular recipient in the cc: or bcc: fields. | cc:lisa
This will return emails that were cc'ed to Lisa. |