Specs & Standards Help Text: Searching

Searching

Basic Search Procedure
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Search Form

Enter search terms in the Search Fields and/or use the Browse/Refine Search
drop-down list to describe the document(s) you need.

You can also narrow your search to the documents included in your subscription, or to current versions of documents, by using the Quick Searches drop-down list. The Quick Searches drop-down list also gives access to Saved Searches.

Click the Search button.

Search Results are listed on the bottom of the screen. Click the document number links to view the documents. Click the Summary links to view abstracts and other document information. Applicable documents also include links to QPLs (Qualified Product Lists), FLIS (Federal Logistics Information System) data, and Slash Sheet Specifications in the document title column.

Click the Clear Search button to remove all search criteria so that you can start another search.

If you have a question about how to use a Specs & Standards feature, click the associated Help icon for search tips and more information.

To step through various search examples, please view our demo.

Search Fields
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You can search by Doc No (document number) and/or by Text.

Doc No
Enter a document number in this field.

Document numbers can contain alpha and/or numeric characters. Alpha characters can be entered as either upper or lower case — the Doc No field is not case sensitive.
- Example: a400 retrieves ASTM A 400, etc.
You will find the number entered, plus that number with any revisions, slash sheet specifications, notices, etc. You will also retrieve documents where the number entered is the revision, slash sheet specification, or notice number.
- Example: 38510 retrieves MIL-M-38510, plus all slash sheet specifications, notices, etc. In this example, you retrieve MIL-M-38510 J, MIL-M-38510/1 E, QPL-38510-2, etc.
You may enter an asterisk (*) wildcard at the beginning, middle, or end of a number:
- Example: *123 retrieves A-A-50123, NF L87-123, XP ENV 1991-2-3. AN31231 REV 2, etc.
- Example: 12*6 retrieves T126, NAS 1206, NASM124786, TR 12596, etc.
- Example: 126* retrieves 126, 1261, 12607, etc.
Organization abbreviations are allowed in the Doc No field, but they are not necessary. For example, you can type ASTM , ASTM A 29, or A 29. Of course the results will be different for each of these searches.

NOTE: You can also narrow your search to documents from specific organizations by selecting Organization in the Browse/Refine Search drop-down list.

Slashes and dashes are the same. For example, 25666/4 and 25666-4 find the same documents.

Hint: To zero in on the document you need, you may want to also select an Organization, Segment, or Document Type from the Browse/Refine Search drop-down list.

Text
By default, the Text field searches the Titles and Abstracts of the documents. To search both the Titles and Abstracts and the full text of the documents, click the Include Doc Text check box to the right of the Text search field.

Alpha characters can be entered as either upper or lower case — the Text field is not case sensitive.
When you enter multiple words, documents are found containing all words— "and" is assumed between words.
- Example: steel gate valve retrieves only documents containing all three words — steel, gate, and valve. However, the words do not have to be together, or in the order that you typed them.
Use double quotation marks (") to search for an exact phrase.
- Example: "steel gate valves" retrieves only documents containing these three words, in this exact order.
  Note: Word variations are NOT assumed when you search for a phrase. For example "steel gate valve" does not retrieve documents containing steel gate valves.
Do not use asterisk (*) wildcards in the Text field. Common word variations, such as plurals and words ending in ing and ed are automatically retrieved. For instance, in the example above both valve and valves are retrieved.
Your search terms are highlighted in the text of the retrieved documents.

Hint: To limit your results to specific subject areas, you may want to also select an ICS (International Classification for Standards) Code or FSC (Federal Supply Classification) Code from the Browse/Refine Search drop-down list.

To step through various search examples, please view our demo.

Browse/Refine Search
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The Browse/Refine Search drop-down list allows you to search by many parameters. Use this drop-down list to locate the documents you need, or use it in combination with the Doc No and Text search fields.

Browse/Refine Search Drop-down List

Select an item from the drop-down list. A new window opens displaying all valid choices.

Highlight your choice. Multiple choices can be made by pressing the Ctrl key or Shift key while you mouse click.

Click the Select/Submit button.

The window will close, your choices will be displayed under the Menu bar, and the results will be instantly displayed!

Example of results retrieved using the Browse/Refine Search drop-down list and the Text search field

You can keep refining the results by choosing other items from the drop-down list. Items are grayed out if they do not apply to the current results set, and when you select a valid item, the subsequent window only shows valid choices for the results that have been returned. This eliminates frustrating "zero results" searches!

The search results are narrowed after each selection.

To remove a Browse/Refine Search parameter from your search, click the name of the parameter displayed beneath the Menu bar.

Browse/Refine Search Parameters

Organization (Org):	Restricts the search to selected authoring organizations. Organization acronyms can also be typed in the Doc No field.
Status:	Choose from: ACTV - Active CURR - Current INAC - Inactive CANC - Canceled DISC - Discontinued DRFT - Draft NFND - Not for New Design NONC - Non-current OBSO - Obsolete PEND - Pending REVD - Revised WDRN - Withdrawn For any given document, the top/first status given is the generic document status and the bottom/last is a specific status, or the reason that the generic status was applied. For example, a document may be Inactive (generic) and the specific reason may be that it has been superseded by a later revision (REVD). This is not especially meaningful for active documents, but to keep the model consistent, CURR is the specific status. Because ACTV and CURR are equivalent, no benefit is gained by selecting both.
Segment:	Restricts the search to the selected segments of the Specs & Standards service.
Doc Type:	Limits searches to specific types of documents.
Date:	Specify documents posted in the Specs & Standards service or published by the author: Yesterday (last 24 hours) Last Week (last 7 days) Last Month (last 30 days) Last Quarter (last 90 days) If no documents were posted or published within these time periods, the choices will be gray and unlinkable. You can also manually enter a date range in the text boxes using the date format displayed. Click Tools > Preferences on the Menu bar to change the date format.
ICS Code:	The International Classification for Standards (ICS) is a broad subject classification structure for international, regional and national standards. It is a hierarchical classification consisting of three levels. The system was created by the ISO, International Organization for Standardization.
FSC Code:	The FSC (Federal Supply Classification) is a four-digit code assigned to all U.S. Government standardization documents. Items that are similar in physical or performance characteristics, are requisitioned together, or are grouped together for supply management purposes are included in the same FSC.
Lists:	All Personal Document Lists created by you, or anyone using your password and username, are displayed. Choose a list, and quickly retrieve your frequently referenced documents. Personal Document Lists can also help you stay on top of compliance issues by sending you email notifications when documents on your lists are revised. You never have to wonder if any of your key documents are out of date!

To step through various search examples, please view our demo.

Quick Searches
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The Quick Searches drop-down list on the Menu bar allows you to quickly narrow your searches to documents in your subscription and/or to the current version of documents. It also allows you to quickly re-perform searches you have saved. And, if you subscribe to the ASME Boiler Pressure and Vessel Code or the MMS Referenced Standards collections, a Table of Contents search is provided to navigate you through these collections.

You can use the Quick Searches drop-down list in combination with the Search Fields and the Browse/Refine Search drop-down list.

Quick Searches Drop-down List

Subscription Only:	Narrows the search to document collections within the your subscription. To see what collections are included in your subscription, click Tools > Subscription on the Menu bar.
Current Version:	Restricts your search to the most current version documents. Keep in mind that the most current version may be a historical or canceled document.
Saved Searches:	If you have previously saved search strategies, they will be listed here. Simply choose the search and the results are instantly displayed!
Table of Contents:	Allows you to navigate the Table of Contents for the ASME Boiler Pressure and Vessel Code (including current and past publications) or the Table of Contents for the MMS (Minerals Management Service) Standards Collection - giving you pinpoint access to the section of the code or the referenced standards you need.

Saved Searches
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Save time, simplify your research, and eliminate costly mistakes by using the Save Search feature! Once your strategy is saved, you can re-create your search at any time with just two clicks! Your searches will be consistent since you can always use the same search criteria. And, there's no need to remember, or keep note of the exact search terms that you used.

Note: In order to save searches, you must first register as an individual user. This allows the system to keep track of your searches. IHS does not sell or rent online user information to other companies. You will not receive unwanted "spam" as a result of completing this registration form. Privacy Policy

To Save a Search Strategy

1.	Perform the search that you want to save.
2.	Click the Save Search button at the top of the results list. The Save Search Management window opens.
	Sample Save Search Management Window
3.	Enter a descriptive name for your search and click the Submit button.

To Use a Saved Search

1.	Click the Saved Searches button on the Menu bar.
2.	Choose the name of the saved search you want to perform. The results are instantly displayed!

To Delete a Saved Search

1.	Click the Save Search button at the top of the results list. The Save Search Management window opens.
2.	Click the check box next to the name of the search you want to delete.
3.	Click the Delete button.