Help with search results

What do you need help with?

I can't find the event I'm looking for

If you didn't find the event you searched for, you may have seen a search results bar similar to this one:

Search result panel with no hits

The search results bar when no events match your search.

It's possible that no events match what you're looking for. But, before you give up, you might want to:

Use the right search terms

Follow these guidelines for using search terms that deliver the best results.

What works

What doesn't work

  • A single word
  • Multiple words
  • A truncated word or words followed by an asterisk (*)
  • Boolean operators, such as and, or, and not
  • Single letters or numbers
  • Common words, such as prepositions and articles
Sample search queries and search results
Typing this termResults in
aikidoEvents that contain the word "aikido."
sword formEvents that contain both the words "sword" and "form." The words don't have to be together or in the same field.
sword and formEvents that contain the word "sword." Everything after "and" is ignored.
sword or formEvents that contain the word "sword." Everything after "or" is ignored.
3No events. You can't search for single characters.
Studio 1Events that contain the word "studio." You can't search for single characters.
sword*Events that contain the words "sword," "swords," "swordsmanship," etc.

Broaden the search

You can broaden a search in several different ways.

  • If you searched for two terms, pick the more unique term and search only for that one.

    For example, rather than searching for secrecy theories, search only for the more unique of the two words, secrecy.

    Search result panel with two terms

    To improve the relevance of the search results, search only for secrecy.

  • If you searched for a term that could have multiple endings, add an asterisk (*) to the term.

    For example, while Musician class turned up no results, Musician* class (which also allows for Musicians and Musicianship) might.

    Search result panel with mutli-endings term

    To broaden this search, add an asterisk (*) to one or both terms.

  • If you applied more than one search criterion, simplify the search.

    For example, the following search panel shows a search for the term Lithographs in events of the Lecture category.

    Search result panel with two search criteria

    To broaden this search, click Clear to the right of the event category filter.

  • If you see a search panel like the one below that emphasizes the view, you may need to choose a different calendar view that lists more events.

    For example, if you're looking at a Week view, the search is restricted only to events that occur during that week.

    Search result panel with view

    To show search results for a longer time period, click Show List of Events.

Too many events match my search

If your keyword search returns too many events, try making the search more restrictive.

  • Change the calendar view If the calendar you're searching offers a choice of views, you can restrict a search by choosing a more limited view. For example, if you know an event will take place during the coming month, you might choose a Month view.

    View choosers come in two styles. The view chooser you see will look similar to one of the two following examples.

    • Selecting a List view in a tabbed view chooser:

      Tabbed view chooser

    • Selecting a Month view in a drop-down menu view chooser:

      Menu view chooser

  • Add a second keyword (do not separate keywords with and, or, or not).

    For example, if you originally searched for the keyword lectures and got too many hits, you might restrict the search by adding the second keyword political.

    Searching by two keywords

    I'd like some other search term tips.

  • Add a filter to the search If the website you're searching provides filters, select values in the filters to restrict your search.

    For example, if you originally searched for the keyword lectures and got too many hits, you might restrict the search using an Audience filter.

    Restricting a search with a filter

    Narrow a keyword search by applying a filter. In this example, the Audience filter is applied.

    Learn more about filters.

I need help with event type and other filters

Filters show you how an organization's events are classified. For example, an organization might classify events by type or category, intended audience, or departmental sponsor.

By choosing values in filters, you can use the organization's classification system to display only the events you care about.

Filter examples

Event category filter
  • This is a single-value filter.
  • You can select a single value at a time from a drop-down list.
  • For example: Limit the events you see to film-type events by selecting Films in an event category filter.
Audience filter
  • This is a multiple-values filter.
  • You can select check boxes for one or multiple values.
  • For example: Avoid seeing events aimed at children by selecting Teens and Adults in an audience filter.

Tips for using multiple-values filters

  • Click a value name to quickly select just that value while clearing all other selections.

    Clicking value title in filter

  • At the bottom of the filter, click All or None to quickly select or clear all values.

    Selecting all values in filter

How do I clear my search results?

If you see a search results bar above the calendar:

  • Click Clear to the right of the search terms.

    Clicking Clear in the Search Results bar

If you don't see a search results bar above the calendar:

  • In the search tool, delete the search terms:

    Clearing search results in the search tool

I'm having trouble with location search

If you were searching for events near your location, you probably used a search tool that looks similar to one of these examples:

Location search

Location search

Try the following suggestions to resolve your location search problems.

I didn't find any events near my location

  • Try searching a wider radius.

    For example, if the specified distance is 10 miles, try replacing it with 50 miles.

  • Redo your search using one of these acceptable locations:
    • Street address (for example, 11 West 53rd St., New York)
    • Place or landmark (for example, Lincoln Memorial, Central Park)
    • Neighborhood (for example, Capitol Hill, Seattle)

    Tip The more specific the location, the more successful the search will be. For example, if you know the zip code, include it in the address.

Instead of getting search results, I was asked to select a location.

Click the arrow to drop down a location list, and then if it's listed, select your location.

If it's not listed, try the tips under I didn't find any events near my location.

The location box says Current Location. I don't know what that means.

If you see Current Location in the location box, and you have location services/sharing enabled on your computer or mobile device, click the search icon or hit Enter.

The search tool automatically provides your current address (or something close) and returns a list of events within the specified radius.