Skip to main content
OCLC Support

Enter a command line search for authority records

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF
Discover how to enter a command line search for authority records in Connexion client.

Use a command line search if you are experienced in searching the LC authority file and already know the format and index labels for entering searches.

  1. Navigate to Authorities > Search > LC Names and Subjects, click the Search LC Names and Subjects button (Search LC Names and Subjects button), or press <Shift><F2>.
  2. In the Search LC Authority File dialog, in the Command Line Search box, enter a keyword, numeric, derived, or phrase search.
    • You must use the command line to enter a derived search or to enter a heading to browse.
    • You can also enter headings to browse using the Browse LC Authority File dialog (Authorities > Browse > LC Names and Subjects). This dialog provides expanded scans for subheadings.
    Or
    Select from the list of up to 10 of your last command line searches.

    Guidelines:
    • Omit the Find command (fin) from all searches.
    • Phrase command line search.
      • Include the Scan command (sca) in phrase searches.
      • Omit initial articles.
      • You can enter diacritics and/or subfield codes; the system removes them before processing the search.
      • Include an index label, followed by a colon, and then the phrase.
        Example: sca pn:mozart, wolfgang amadeus
    • Keyword/numeric command line search.
      • Enter an index label, followed by a colon, followed by the search term(s).
      • You can use a word or phrase to search a single index.
      • Omit prepositions and articles.
      • You can enter diacritics; the system removes them before processing the search.
      • Do not enter subfield codes.
        Example: ti:huckleberry finn
    • Derived command line search.
      • Use the following number of letters in these patterns for the four available indexes: personal name (4,3,1), corporate/conference/geographic name (=4,3,1), title (3,2,2,1), or subject (5,3).
      • Index labels are optional for a derived personal name, title, or subject search. If included, the index label must be followed by a colon.
        Example: pd:moza,wol,a or moza,wol,a
      • For a derived corporate, conference, or geographic name search, you must include either the index label (cd:) or an equal sign (=) to distinguish a corporate/conference/geographic name search from a personal name search.
        Example: cd:chem,soc, or =chem,soc,
    • Combine searches with Boolean operators and, or, or not. You cannot use Boolean operators in phrase browsing (scanning indexes).

       Note: To delete all retained searches in the dialog, click Clear Search. The client deletes search terms from all search boxes but retains the most recent 10 in the drop-down search lists.

  3. (Optional) Show or hide cross references in search results:
    • To show See reference tracings in addition to the main entry for each record, select the Show See References in Results check box. The LC Authority File Search List shows multiple-line entries that include the 4XX fields for each main entry.
    • To show See Also reference tracings for each main entry, select the Show See Also References in Results check box. The LC Authority File Search List shows multiple-line entries that include hot links to the 5XX fields for each main entry.
    • To include both See and See Also references for each main entry, select both check boxes. The LC Authority File Search List shows multiple-line entries that include both the 4XX fields and hot links to the 5XX fields for each main entry.
    • To show only the main entry for each match, deselect both check boxes (default).

       Note: Cross reference settings apply to command line keyword, numeric, and derived search results. The system ignores these options for command line phrase searches (browsing).

  4. (Optional) If you want to keep the search you enter, select the Retain Search check box.
    • A check mark indicates that the last search you enter will be retained in the text box, including search terms and indexes.
    • The client keeps the search when you close and reopen the dialog or the program.
  5. When finished, perform one of the following actions:
    • Click OK or press <Enter> to send the search. 
    • Click Clear Search to clear the search and enter another.
    • Click Cancel to cancel the search and close the dialog.

See Use LC authority file search results for more about working with results of the search.

 Note: In search results lists, the qualifier [CHILDREN'S] is displayed next to entries associated with Children's Subject authority headings (010 prefix sj and 008/15 = b) to distinguish them from other authority records.