Searching for multiple terms, eg products, supplier, cost centre etc

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Introduction
• Step-by-Step Guide for multiple terms using String Search Generator
• Step-by-Step Guide for search a handful of terms
• Step-by-Step Guide to create your own string search
• Notes And Tips

Introduction

This article will explain how you can search for multiple products simultaneously in the AdviseInc Platform by using:

• Brackets () to group the terms
• Pipes | to separate them eg A | B = A or B and
• Asterisk * as a wild card eg *harh* = show me where "harh" exists anywhere compared to harh* = show me where "harh" appears at the start and there can be anything at the end of the term.

Step-by-Step Guide for multiple terms using String Search Generator

1. The quickest way to search for multiple terms eg products is to use the Search String Generator attached at the bottom of this article. 

2. This simple Excel tool converts large lists of data into the correct search string to use in the AdviseInc Platform. Simply copy and paste your product codes, and hit 'Generate'. 

3. The search string can then be copied into the clipboard using Ctrl + C, for you to then paste into the product search bar in the Platform.

Step-by-Step Guide for search a handful of terms

1. If you want to search for a handful of products you can use brackets, pipes and asterixis. 

Brackets () are used to house your expression

Pipes | are used as an 'or' to separate your terms

Astrix * can be used as a wildcard

See the example below:

(*HARH36|M46441300S*|*123456*|abc)

The above expression is searching for the following criteria:

• *HARH36 - where Harh36 sits at the end of a term
• M46441300S* - where M46441300S sits at the start of a term
• *123456* - where 123456 sits anywhere in a term
• abc  -where abc is the full term

Step-by-Step Guide to create your own string search

1. If you are unable to use the macros in the attached document you can produce your own string search generator using the formula below where [cells] is the list of terms you are searching for split out in a list:

a. To find only exact matches to terms

="("&textjoin("|",1,[cells])&")"

b. To find where the term exists at the start

="("&textjoin("*|",1,[cells])&")"

c. To find where the term exists at the end

="("&textjoin("|*",1,[cells])&")"

d. To find where the term exists anywhere

="("&textjoin("*|*",1,[cells])&")"

Notes And Tips

1. You can also apply the above rules to supplier names, simply enter the search string you have generated into the supplier search bar.
2. Always ensure your search begins and ends with brackets.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at support@adviseinc.co.uk or phone us on 0207 112 9222.