Common Query Operators

Metadata: Updated February 2026, Database Management & Reporting

Introduction

Query operators are special characters and commands used to filter and refine data searches within your database. This article outlines the standard syntax for finding specific text strings, numerical ranges, and missing data points to ensure your reporting is accurate and targeted.

This guide addresses how to fine-tune searches beyond exact matches, allowing for broader analysis or the identification of records with missing information.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Searching for Text Strings (Partial Matches)

To find a record when you only know part of the name or value:

1. Navigate to the desired search tab (e.g., PAC Orgs).
2. In the search field, type the $ symbol followed by the partial text.
   • Example: Entering $Freedom in the PAC Org name field will return any organization containing that word.

2. Filtering by Numerical Values

Use these operators in text fields that contain numbers (like IDs or Codes):

• Less Than (<): Enter <50000 to find values lower than 50,000.
• Greater Than (>): Enter >50000 to find values higher than 50,000.
• Less Than or Equal To (<=): Enter <=50000 to include the value 50,000 and anything lower.
• Greater Than or Equal To (>=): Enter >=50000 to include 50,000 and anything higher.

3. Comparing Lists and Exclusions

• Not Equal To (<>): Used to find items that do not match a specific criteria.
  • Example: Finding individuals on List A but NOT on List B.
• The AND Operator (+): Used to find records that exist in multiple categories simultaneously.
  • Example: To find individuals present on both List A and List B, separate the list names with a +.

4. Identifying Missing or Populated Data

• Find Empty Records: Type -EMPTY- (must be all caps) into a field to find records where that specific data point is missing.
• Find Populated Records: Type <>-EMPTY- to find every record that has any value in that field (excluding blanks).

FAQs

Q1. Does the "-EMPTY-" operator need to be capitalized? A1. Yes, the system requires -EMPTY- to be in all capital letters to function correctly.

Q2. Can I use numerical operators like ">" on regular text fields? A2. These operators are intended for fields containing numeric values; using them on purely alphabetical text may not yield accurate results.

Q3. What is the difference between ";" and "+"? A3. A semicolon (;) usually acts as an "OR" function, while the plus sign (+) acts as an "AND" function, requiring the record to meet both criteria.

Troubleshooting

• Issue: The search returns no results even though I know the data exists.
• Solution: Check for extra spaces before or after your operator. Ensure you are using the correct symbol (e.g., using $ for text and < for numbers).
• Issue: The $ operator is returning too many results.
• Solution: Add more specific text after the $. The more characters you provide, the narrower the search will be.
• Issue: Using -EMPTY- is not finding records that look blank.

Solution: The field may contain a "space" or hidden character. Try searching for <>-EMPTY- to see what values are actually stored in those "blank" fields.