Library Catalog Search syntax
In the persistent search box, single words generally retrieve large sets. To narrow a search, you can use multiple words. Koha automatically uses the ‘and’ Boolean operator to create a set of records matching your input. When you want to narrow the search to an author or a title or a subject or some other specific field or use a Boolean operator, there isn’t an obvious way to accomplish that specificity. The library user can, of course, go to the Advanced Search page; however, if you know how to construct a CCL ( Common Command Language) search, you can achieve more specificity while using the persistent search box on any page.
There is a specific order to the CCL search syntax. Although it can be used for simple searches, it is an especially effective way to perform complex searches, as it affords you a great deal of control over your search results. To construct a CCL search, first enter a desired index code, then an equal sign, followed by your search word(s). Following are examples of simple CCL searches.
ti=principles of accounting
au=brown joseph
su=poetry
su-na=Shakespeare
kw=marlin
You can refine your search by combining search terms with Boolean operators ‘and’, ‘or’, or ‘not’. Following are examples of searches using Boolean operators.
ti=principles of accounting and au=brown joseph
su=poetry not su-na=Shakespeare
kw=communication and su=debate
