Using the UF Libraries' Catalog

Command Search

Command Search allows the greatest flexibility in searching, but requires understanding and use of the indexes that drive the database.

The format for Command Searching is: [index code]=[keyword/phrase]

• WTI=everglades
• WPU=london

You may combine indexes using AND, OR, or NOT.

• WSU=cancer or WTI=cancer
• WRD=marketing and WSU=thesis

You may use parentheses to indicate nesting, or the order in which your statements should be processed.

• WSU=history and (WAU=brown or WAU=smith)
• WAU=shakespeare and (WRD=sonnets or WRD=poem?)

You must use Command search when you wish to search by a "Limit" index without including a keyword.

• WTP=VR [format/material type is Video]
• WLN=SPA [language is Spanish]
• WTP=VR and WSC=UFSED [format/material type is Video and location is Education Library]

When you use an Organized List (phrase) index in Command Search, you must add a truncation symbol to make sure you are retrieving the complete phrase.

• TTL=international journal of? and WTI=studies
• WAU=shakespeare william? and WRD=sonnets

NOTE: When you use an Organized List (phrase) index in Command Search, the results will be formatted like Keyword results. You will not see a Browse List of results unless you use the Browse form on the Basic Search screen.

Indexes used in the UF Libraries’ Catalog include:

Some of the Keyword indexes require you to use a code rather than full keywords.