# Search Basics ## Category Search All major datasets within HigherGov have a Category Search screen listed in the sidebar. Most of these screens work similarly, although the filters available will vary based on the type of data being searched.

The buttons that are available on the Category Search pages include: * **Add Filters**: Add powerful filters to your search to limit results * **Export**: Download your records in the .csv or .xlsx (Excel) formats * **Save**: Save your search for future reference. Press the down caret next to the save button to Open your previous searches. Learn more about saving searches [here](https://docs.highergov.com/highergov-basics/saved-searches-and-alerts). * **Share**: Send your search to someone else either with a URL or with an email * **Reset**: Clear and start your search over from scratch * **Columns**: Add or remove the columns that appear in the search results table * **Sort**: Order the results by the available categories ### Search Strategy #### Using Filters There are two types of filters available on most pages, Quick and Search. The Quick filters allow you to quickly apply advanced searches such as finding recompetes or vulnerable incumbents with the click of a button. The Search filters allow you to add additional complex filters to your search. {% hint style="info" %} Several category screens including Contract Opportunities, Grant Opportunities, Contract Awards, and Grant Awards have an **Active** Quick filter. In many cases, you will want to select this **Active** filter to limit results to currently actionable opportunities or ongoing contracts rather than including historical data. {% endhint %}

#### Keyword Search Tips The Keyword filter supports advanced options for finding records. Basic Keyword Search * **physical security** -> Contains both *physical* and *security* "Or" Keyword Search * **physical security or surveillance** -> Contains both *physical* and *security* or *surveillance* "Close Match" Search * "**physical security**" -> Contains *physical* directly next to *security* Exclude Search * **physical security -training** -> Contains both *physical* and *security* and excludes *training* Complex Grouping * **(physical security or surveillance) (school or college) -training** -> Contains either *physical security* or *surveillance* and contains either *school* or *college.* Does not include training. There is no limit on the number of keywords that can be joined in an "or" search. ## Other Ways to Search HigherGov ### Quick Search Bar If you know exactly what you're looking for, the fastest way to find records in HigherGov is by using the Quick Search bar at the top of every page. The Quick Search bar accepts IDs (such as contract or grant IDs, solicitation numbers, or UEIs) as well as names for records such as awardees or agencies. Press Enter in the Quick Search to open your search in Search All.

### Search All If you're performing general research on a topic or are not sure exactly what you're looking for, you can use the [search all](https://www.highergov.com/all/) screen to quickly filter the entire HigherGov database by keyword. Once you type in a keyword or set of keywords, tabs will highlight where results are found. Within each of those tabs, you can select **See All Results -->** to open up the Category Search screen to add more advanced filters.

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