Search Basics

Basic Structure

Epiphany follows a relatively basic query syntax to perform its search bar functions.

In order to create a query, you'll need to use either of the methods described next.

Column and Value Structure

As the name suggests, this format will follow a column and value structure to query many parts of Epiphany's underlying databases. The column input must be followed by a colon without any spaces. Immediately following the colon, the values for that column must be entered directly after the colon with no spaces. The only time spaces are allowed in the syntax is when a logical operator (OR,AND) is used, the value is contained in single quotes, or once the final value for a column is finished. This format follows this style of structuring:

One column search:
<column_input>:<value_input>

Two or more columns search:
<column_input>:<value_input> <column_input>:'<value_input> <value_input>'

Single Value Structure

Due to the nature of the underlying databases, Epiphany can support single value search queries as well. The significant part of this structuring is how no columns are used, therefore no colons are used. This format will follow this style of structuring:

One value:
<value>
One or more values with logical operators:
<value1> OR <value2> AND <value3>
Get everything:
<asterisk>

Column Constraints

Columns in Epiphany's search queries are the most constrained of all of the strings input. Therefore, only certain characters are allowed to exist in the <column_input> sections of the query structures described above.

Column Characters allowed:

• Alpha-numeric characters

• Underscores "_"

• Hyphens "-"

Value Constraints

Values in Epiphany's search queries have a wider scope of acceptable characters, however, they are still restricted by the underlying databases.

Please note that spaces found not surrounding a logical operator, encased in single quotes, or at the end of a "column:value" pairing will register as invalid syntax.

Value Characters Allowed

• Alpha-numeric characters

• Underscores "_"

• Hyphens "-"

• Parenthesis (open and closing) "()"

  • Used for unions.

• Ampersand "&"

• Single quotes "'"

  • Used to contain values with spaces.

• Periods "."

• At symbols "@"

• Asterisk "*"

  • Used for wildcard operations.

• Logical operators:

  • AND, &

  • OR, |

For more information on using operators, see Query Operators.

Examples of Input

Column_input:'value1 string with spaces'

Column123:Value_123-2

Column-123:user@domain

column:user12*