SMF User Help: Searching

Introduction • Registering • Logging In • Profile • Posting • Personal Message • Searching

While SMF naturally incorporates a powerful search engine, knowing how to use it is not surprisingly the key to returning successful results!

Starting a Search

Assuming the forum is running the SMF default theme (or a derivative of it), there should be both a simple Search field (partnered by an Advanced search text link) in the collapsible top section and a Search option in the main menu. If not, the main menu Search option should still lead straight to the advanced search screen.

Syntax

While you can just type (and search for) any combination of characters, you should consider using quotes to make your search really work for you:

Quote Marks

To put this in a nutshell, searching for simple machines forum will return any or all of these three words, but enclosing the search string in double quote marks (ie "simple machines forum") will return only the entire phrase.

Simple or Advanced?

Simple Search

To use the simple search (if enabled), the basic syntax outlined above is all you really need to know. But you might also like to know that this tool searches the entire forum for any or all of what you specify that's been posted during the last 9999 days (which is more than 27 years)! So, to take more control of your search, you should use the advanced search feature.

Advanced Search

Although the advanced search screen might initially seem a little intimidating if a forum has many boards and child boards, it's surprisingly straightforward when reduced to its basic components:

Forum Name

Search

Set Search Parameters

Search for:		by user:


Options:		Message age:
Show results as messages Topic subjects only		Between and days.
Search order:

Choose a board to search in, or search all:

Category name	Another Board
Board Name

Check all

Some forums show the navigation tree at the top in a space-saving horizontal mode.
Despite initial appearances, there are really three options for how to search, with Match all words and Match any words being available from the drop-down, and "Match as phrase" still being available as described above.
The default * in the by user field is essentially a wildcard matching any poster. Please note that, while you can replace this with any single username for a more specific search, it's not currently possible to search for posts by multiple users except as that single wildcard.
Show results as messages returns the full message containing the search string (with a reply option) instead of the usual linked excerpt, but will naturally result in much larger results pages which might be significant if you are searching for a popular word or phrase.
Message age sets the minimum and maximum ages of posts to search.
Choose a board to search in provides you with another tool to narrow the scope of the search, with the default being 'all' (the whole forum or, more properly, all the boards to which you have read access).
The Search button not surprisingly sets the whole thing in motion, but hitting 'Enter' direct from any of the search fields is sometimes more convenient.

Introduction • Registering • Logging In • Profile • Posting • Personal Message • Searching

April 18, 2019, 01:18:08 AM

Fox: Thinking.... meme topics..... Isaac: Stop calling me a sack! Also, don't call me sick either!

April 03, 2019, 08:24:45 PM

Fox: Really don't see the point in the Crystal or even the crown conversation, but whatever... (I mean, if you want to do it, then just do it. - Doesn't need to be at GSHC, because there are no longer clan leaders at GSHC.)

April 03, 2019, 03:59:33 AM

squizzy44: We all need to band together to take down Crystal.

April 02, 2019, 12:00:09 AM

Fox: Your clan? You can't edit it manually, so you have to tell an admin so they can do it. There's actually a topic for when you pick a clan... but uhh... I've no idea if an admin will see it via that, though. (Kain will certainly see id you ping him on GSHC Discord.)

April 01, 2019, 05:28:42 PM

squizzy44: How do I change my position on my profile? I haven't used the site in nearly 10 years...

March 31, 2019, 10:10:15 PM

Fox: I still wonder if a Tret glitch for speedrunning exists... I don't think I looked into if the PC was on one of the other layers. (Which basically the second layer edits @-0x200 instead of @-0x100... in the event you are going up (y-axis) out of bounds.) Hm.

March 31, 2019, 06:18:43 PM

Fox: Not me.

March 31, 2019, 02:59:38 PM

Salanewt: I don't know of any, although if there were then we'd have to send it as a patch file. I think someone is working on it at least!

March 29, 2019, 07:51:48 PM

MaxiPower: no such thing exists

March 26, 2019, 03:38:42 AM

reeZ931: I would really appreciate it

March 26, 2019, 02:39:38 AM

reeZ931: Anyone have a golden sun rom where you can play as saturos and menardi properly?

March 25, 2019, 09:31:15 PM

Fox: It would explain why everyone leaves so quickly after taking our bananas.

March 24, 2019, 10:36:10 PM

Fox: Wouldn't bananas increase agility the more you have? Like... Diddy Kong Racing reference.

March 22, 2019, 11:19:11 PM

Average Wind Seer: Banana: Restores 50PP to user. Restores 40PP to Isaac if Jenna uses this item.

March 22, 2019, 09:57:53 PM

Salanewt: Lol. I mean, I am thinking of adding a banana item to GS so...

March 22, 2019, 09:48:42 PM

Fox: Ooh! Sala's back! I think he wants a banana. All this banana talk must have attracted him.

March 22, 2019, 08:56:52 PM

Fox: :O I just notice I have no Coins to buy bananas with! (You know, the coins feature this forum has.)

March 04, 2019, 08:45:44 PM

Fox: Aw. I kind of want to suggest dressing up in a banana costume. No wait, that's a bad idea.

March 04, 2019, 04:24:10 AM

Average Wind Seer: *angry gorilla noises that roughly translates to "Stay the [redacted] off my island and don't touch my [redacted] bananas"*

March 04, 2019, 03:06:07 AM

Fox: Gosh. This is like playing whack-a-mole! What's taking you so long with the bananas?! :D

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