HomeMy WebLinkAboutSearch Instructions Weblink
Searching in
Weblink
Process Details
Methods of Searching
There are three methods to searching within Weblink.
1. Browse
To locate a file or record using the browse method is very similar to using MS Explorer.
The example below demonstrates the folder hierarchy within the system.
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To navigate within the folders, simply click on the desired folder. Note that the folder
opens and any sub-folders are displayed.
If you click on the folder, both the left and right panels will display the folder contents.
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Example
: The following panels will demonstrate how to locate the May 30, 2005
Council Minutes. Note each screen change was invoked by double clicking on the
desired folders.
Step 1 – Select C04 Council Minutes Folder
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Step 2 – Select the Clarington Folder
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Step 3 – Select the 2005 folder
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Step 4 – Select the 05/30/2005 document
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The document will then be displayed.
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2. Full-text Search
Full-text searching is generally used when you are not sure which document contains
the information / record you require.
Click on the search tab. Note that a new window is displayed.
The default search is “Weblink Search”. In this field you can simply type in the word or
words on which you wish to search.
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To conduct full-text searches which are more advanced there are a variety of options
available. To access these other search options, click on the Customize Search drop-
down list and select the search method.
Text Search will allow you to build on your search criteria using Boolean Logic.
The “AND” option will narrow your search results than if you searched for only one
phrase.
The “OR” option will expand your search as compared to using the basic text or AND
options.
The “NOT” option will narrow your search as compared to using the basic text option.
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To search “WITHIN” will narrow your search and provides you the option to search on
two phrases or text combinations that are physically located WITHIN a certain distance
from each other.
Other Search options include:
Searching by the document name
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Within a specific folder
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Within a specific volume (although we do not use volumes – so this is not
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recommended
Searching for a comment on a sticky note (although we do not use sticky notes at
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this time – so this is not recommended)
Search by creation date of the document
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Search on modification date of the document
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Search on electronic documents (used primarily by system administrator)
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Search on has pages (this is a yes / no type of search and is used more from our
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Perspective as system administrators to locate documents in the system that
have been indexed but do not appear to have any pages associated with the
indexed details – so this is not recommended)
Note, that any of these search options may be used on their own or in conjunction with
another search option to assist in narrowing down the search parameters.
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3. Template Search
All records added to Laserfiche (the main database) are indexed using templates.
A template search is used to locate a specific record when you know the type of record
for which you are searching. To search by template instructs the system to “only look
within this particular record type”. It essentially speeds up the search.
For this search method to be successful, it is imperative that users adding records to
Laserfiche ensure not only that they are classifying records properly, but also that they
are diligent in accurately and fully indexing the documents.
You can access a template for searching through the customize pull down list and
selecting “Field”.
Using the pull-down button, select the desired template. Note, the template displays all
the fields on which this particular record type has been indexed.
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Type in the search criteria in the appropriate field. Note you can narrow your search by
entering more than one field.
Searching Hints & Tips
Symbol Translation Use
& And To concatenate two phrases
Eg. Blue and Green
^ Within To search for a phrase within a number of words
from another phrase
Eg. Blue ^10 of green
(look for blue within 10 words of green)
| Or To look for this phrase or that phrase
(shift + Eg. Blue | green
backslash) (look for blue or green)
- Not To look for this phrase but not that phrase
Eg. Blue – green
(look for blue but not green)
* Wildcard This is used when you are looking for a phrase
tha may be contained within a larger phrase.
Eg. *4567*
(look for any occurrence where 4567 are found
togherther. It will pick up 34567, 45678, 4567. If
the number was just 34567 and you didn’t use
any wildcards, you would not find this occurrence.
Standards/Samples for Keyword Searching
Item Use
Reports Standard Term XXX-###-YY (for all reports since 2006)
(eg. CLD-001-08)
XXX-#-YY (previous years- inconsistent)
(eg. WD-1-05 or PSD-100-04)
Minutes Resolutions
Council C-###-YY (eg. C-100-08) – post 1979
C-yy-### (eg. C-77-23) – pre 1979
GPA GPA-###-YY (eg. GPA-100-08)
By-laws Standard Term By-law (not bylaw or by law)
Standard YYYY-### (for Clarington since 2000)
Numbering (eg. 2008-001)
YY-## (pre 2000)
#### (pre amalgamation)
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Search Results
Regardless of the button you select to assist you in searching, the system will display
your search results. Note the example below includes the results screen for a phrase
search for “golf course”. In this example, there were a total of 115 records found with
the phrase “golf course”.
Scroll through the hit list by clicking on the hits to determine which is the occurrence you
are seeking.
If you click on the document name, the system will launch the document.
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But if you click on the hits (the number next to the document name), the screen will split
and “phrase” within the document selected will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.
To go directly to that occurrence within the document click on the occurrence identified
at the bottom of the screen. The system will then launch the document right to that
occurrence.
Once the document is opened, note that the occurrence of the phrase is highlighted for
easy viewing.
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Modifying the Weblink Display
The Weblink display may be modified by clicking on “My Weblink” at the top of the
browser screen.
You can change:
a) Browse Options
The default Browse screen only displays the name of the document. To add or remove
columns of details in your Browse display, click on Browse Options. The Browse
options are listed. Highlight the desired option and click on the right arrow in the centre
of the window to add this option to your browse columns. To change the order of the
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columns use the up and down areas. To remove a column, highlight the entry in the
columns selected list and click on Remove.
b) Search Options
To add or remove columns from your search results screen, click on Search Results.
Follow the same instructions as detailed above for the Browse Options.
c) Document Options
It is not recommended that these options be altered.
d) Export Options
These options are not available.
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