Search GIS Element

Use the Search toolbox to look up features that meet the conditions specified in the Search term field. By default, all layers in the viewport are searched unless the Source layers to search field is set to a specific layer. However, the layers must be visible for the queried features to be highlighted.

Search Term

When searching for features, all properties (attributes) are included and compared to the search term.

There are four types of search terms:

Global contains e.g., Upslope

  • The value entered must appear as a substring in the properties — either in the key name or the actual value. The search is case-insensitive.

Key contains e.g., Landuse=Upslope

  • Features that contain the key Landuse and whose value contains Upslope are returned.
  • The key name is case-sensitive and must be written exactly as displayed. However, the value is case-insensitive and only needs to be included within the feature's value.

Key exact match e.g., Landuse==Upslope

  • The same rules apply as for Key contains, but with a double equal sign (==), the value must match exactly (though still case-insensitive).
  • For example:
  • Landuse==Upslope matches Upslope but not upsl.
  • upsl!=Upslope is valid but evaluates to false if the values are not identical.

Key numeric e.g., Area>10

  • For numeric values, you can use these comparison operators: <, >, <=, >=.

Combined Search Term

Multiple search terms can be combined using:

  • , for AND
  • + for OR

+ has higher precedence than ,, meaning A=x+A=y,B=z is interpreted as (A=x OR A=y) AND B=z.

For improved readability, search terms can be split across multiple lines. Hold Shift while pressing Enter to add extra lines. Combined search rules (using , and +) still apply.

Search Results

  • Clicking the key name boxes displays the corresponding values in the title bar of the queried features.
  • In individual search results, click the Show props button to reveal all properties.
  • The upper-right corner displays the source layer information.

Examples

Single Search Term

MS=dk
  • Queries all features that contain the key MS and where the value includes dk.

Two AND Search Terms

MS=dk, type==upslope
  • Queries all features that contain the keys MS and type, where:
  • The value for type must be exactly upslope.
  • The value for MS must include dk.

Multiple AND/OR Search Terms (Multi-line)

group=fish+group=mammals,group=birds,

cover_ha>100,cover_ha<999,

dataquality==M+dataquality==G,

MS=dk
  • The group value must be either fish, mammals, or birds.
  • AND cover_ha must be between 100 and 999.
  • AND dataquality must be either M or G.
  • AND MS must include dk.