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Gmail advanced search tips
The search function within Gmail is a powerful tool, which can be enhanced even further with these boolean operators
Advanced search, or boolean, operators are query words or symbols that enhance the search for email(s) within Gmail. Getting to grips with the most common of these operators will allow you to find the email you are looking for quickly and accurately.
Gmail now has an advanced search drop down panel (click the arrow on the right of the search box) with fields that help you search and the ability to choose a label to search within. However, knowing these advanced search operators will help you refine your search even further.
You can use the search panel to start a search, once you click the search button your chosen search will be shown as a boolean search in the search box, then use the terms below to refine it further.
Common advanced operators:
| Operator | Action | Example |
|---|---|---|
| from: | Search for sender | from:mark.w@gappstips.com Sent from Mark W |
| to: | Search for recipient | to:mark.w@gappstips.com Sent to Mark W |
| subject: | Search in subject line |
subject:collaboration Contains "collaboration" in the subject subject:collaboration from:mark.w@gappstips.com From Mark with "collaboration" in subject |
| " " | Search for exact phrase | "tips on collaboration" Email contains the exact phrase "tips on collaboration" |
| OR | Search using term "A" or "B" - OR must be uppercase |
collaboration OR document Contains the words "collaboration" or "document" from:mark OR ian Sent from Mark or Ian |
| - | Exclude terms from your search (use a hyphen) | "collaboration" -office Email contains the term "collaboration" but not "office" |
|
is:starred is:unread / read is:chat |
Search for emails that are starred; read; or unread Search for chat messages |
from:mark is:unread Emails from Mark that are unread is:chat from:ian Search for chat messages from Ian |
|
( ) |
Group words that the email contains |
from:mark (collaboration OR document) Emails from Mark that contain "collaboration" or "document" subject:(collaboration document) Emails that contain the terms "collaboration" and "document" in the subject |
|
filename: |
Search an attachment by filename | filename:plan subject:marketing Emails with an attachment including the word "plan" and a subject including "marketing" |
|
has:attachment has:red-star |
Search for emails that have attachments Search for emails with coloured stars |
from:mark has:attachment Emails from Mark with an attachment has:purple-star "collaborate" Emails with a purple star that contain the term "collaborate" |
|
cc: bcc: |
Search cc: and bcc: fields |
cc: mark.w@gappstips.com Emails copied to Mark W |
|
in: |
Search within labels, inbox, trash etc |
subject:collaboration in:colleagues Emails that contain "collaboration" labelled as "colleagues" |
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