We’ve now looked at searching, and hopefully you’re finding your files easily. But how often are the ones that you’re looking for at the top of the results list? Let me share some advanced search techniques with you.
Wildcard symbols
How often have you remembered part of the filename, but not all of it?
There may be times when you can’t remember exactly how you’ve spelt something.
It’s at this time that the wildcard symbols are worth their weight in gold.
So, a wildcard symbol allows you to replace some or a specific number of characters that you’re not sure about.
There are a number of options available, but I have two favourites.
Question Mark (?)
The question mark is used to replace a single character in a specific place that you’re not sure about.
For example, you’ve got a client called ‘Reed’, but you can’t remember exactly how they spell their name.
- Reed
- Read
- Reid
When you look at these three possible spellings, they all start with ‘Re’ and end with ‘d’. It’s that third letter that we’re not sure about.
This is where the question mark comes in.
We can search on Re?d.
The results will come up with all three variations, as the question mark replaces a single character.
However, as it’s in that specific place, ‘Ried’ wouldn’t appear as it doesn’t start ‘re’.
If you’re wondering, can you use multiple question marks, then the answer is yes.
Remember each question mark replaces one character. It’s not too bad if you’ve got between, say 1 and 4 characters, but you don’t want to sit there typing a bunch of question marks in.
And that’s where the next option comes in handy.
Asterisk (*)
This single character – the asterisk – standards for any number of other characters.
Let’s take the same example of Reed.
Typing in Re*d, will come up with a lot more results.
Sure it will give Reed, Read and Reid.
However, it will also include Red – with no additional characters.
But also ‘Reconciled’, ‘Recorded’, and any other word you can think of that starts ‘Re’ and ends with ‘d’.
The asterisk is great when you just don’t know what might be missing.
Similar to the question mark, the position of the asterisk makes a difference to the search results.
*red
r*ed
Re*d
red*
There will be some similarities for all of these options, e.g. red, but also a number of differences.
With the asterisk at the beginning you’re searching for anything ending with ‘red’, for example:
- Multichambered
- Underprepared
- Transgendered
- Outmaneurered
- Considered
- Registered
Likewise, with the asterisk at the end, you’re looking for anything starting ‘red’, examples include:
- Redact
- Redberries
- Redeem
- Redefining
- Redesign
- Redirected
😁 definitely a bit different.
Hopefully you get the idea, without me having to list some examples of the other two options.
What’s great about the asterisk is that it can be used in a number of different ways.
For example, finding different file types (if you’re not sure what I’m talking about check out this blog Do you know your files types?).
Say you wrote a file called ‘The Importance of Being Earnest” (a play by Oscar Wilde, with two films that I’m aware of). But you can’t remember if it was a document or a presentation.
Your search would be the importance of being earnest.*
By using the asterisk after the full stop, you’re saying that you’re looking for any file type with that title.
OK – I get it, just typing in the title you’d get the same results.
How about this example, *tips.
Now you’ll get any files that end with ‘tips’.
- Computer Tips
- Word Tips
- Excel Tips
- Pinterest Tips
- Photography Tips
- Healthy Eating Tips
Maybe you’re looking for all of your pro files – so the search would be pro*.
Consider what you’re looking for and what you can remember, then use the asterisk to replace the ‘blank’.
Oh, and if you’re wondering if you can use multiple asterisks – yes and no.
Unlike the question mark, there’s no point in typing in multiple asterisks – pro***, as one symbol covers any number.
However, if you’re not sure where the order of the text it is, then type in *pro*.
This will search for pro, at the beginning, middle or end of the filename.
Double Quotes
How often have you wanted to search for all or part of a name, that’s more than one word?
You type the text in, and… you get all of the files that have any of those words in.
Really great when you’re using and, or, in, the, etc.
Here’s where the double quotes comes in.
The double quotes is like saying ‘all of these words needs to be included’.
It doesn’t matter where they are in the name, but they all have to be together.
Ah, and the other thing is that they have to be in this specific order.
For example, “in Windows”, will return:
- In windows, typing tips
- Shortcut keys in Windows
It won’t include:
- In your windows
- In your copy of windows
- In Microsoft Windows
As they aren’t an exact match to what you’re searching for.
Next Steps
That’s three advanced techniques to help you search for your specific filenames, when you can’t remember exactly what you called it.
Oh, and these advanced searching tips – well they work on most searches. Whether it’s for files or their contents, emails or of course, internet searching!
So, once again, it’s over to you. Search for something, today or tomorrow and see how these simple tips can improve the search results.
Other Posts about Computer Files
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Do you really need file organisation?
What’s so great about online file storage
Why sharing is better than attaching
Are you searching your files to save time?
Improve your results with these advanced search techniques (current post)
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using advanced search operators, advanced search techniques, mastering file searches