Field Codes
Field codes allow for searching individual metadata fields in Discovery and EBSCOhost. There is no centralized place on EBSCO Connect where this information lives and some field codes do not work in every EBSCO database. Below are some of the most useful.
Please Note: Field codes index all records in EDS, not just catalog or Discovery eResource records. If you are trying to perform targeted searching only on catalog records, use the database or location limiters in conjunction with search terms.
Field Code (Capital Letters) | Description | Relevant MARC Fields / Notes |
|---|---|---|
TX* | All Text: Performs a keyword search of all the database's searchable fields. Using the TX field code will cause the search to look for the keyword in the full text as well as the citation record. | |
AU* | Author: Performs a keyword search for any authors listed on a record. | Includes corporate author, other others (100,110, 111, 700, 710,711) |
AR | Author: Performs a phrase search for any authors listed on a record. | Includes corporate author, other others (100,110, 111, 700, 710,711) |
TI* | Title: Searches keywords in a record's English and non-English title field. For phrase searching, bound the title in quotation marks. | Includes all aspects of title: title, title abbrev, uniform title, other titles, former title, etc. (130, 245, 210, 222,240, 730,246,247) |
ST | Series Title: Performs a search (keyword or phrase unclear) for a series title. | |
SU* | Subject Term: Performs a keyword search of the subject headings listed in the records. | |
DE | Performs a phrase search for an exact subject heading within the records. | Use for the authority controlled versions. |
SO* | Journal Title/Source: Performs a phrase search for the journal name of the article. | |
JN | Journal Title: Searches keywords in a record's Journal Title title field. | |
PB | Publication information: Performs a keyword search | includes all pub info (264 OR 260) |
DT or PY | Publication Date. DT = 8 digit date; PY = 4 digit date/year) | PY is more widely suitable to catalog search. DT will only catch a relative few records that have additional date information (some reports, etc.). Can truncate to get year and month, e.g. DT 201409* |
AB* | Abstract: Performs a keyword search of the abstract summaries. | |
LA or LN or ZL | Language: LA = word; LN (code) = phrase; ZL (full name) = phrase | |
PT or PZ or MG | TYPE (doc type, material type, etc.) | |
FO | Form of Item: Performs a keyword search | |
IL | Illustrations: Performs a keyword search | |
GE or CO or PE | Special subjects: GE (geog term) = word; CO (company) = word; PE (person) = word | |
IS* | ISSN: Performs an exact search for a publication's International Standard Serial Number. | |
IB* | ISBN: Performs an exact search for an article's identification number in the ISBN and EISBN fields. | |
OC | OCLC #: Performs a search for the OCLC number. Do not include the alpha-prefix, and do not include any extra spaces or wildcards. (ie. “OC 01943602”) | |
NU | (Call) Number: Performs an exact search on the call number fields. Can be truncated to replicate call number “browse” but records will not sort in ascending/descending order. Must end the search with a wildcard (*) and will fail if there are extra spaces. | |
AN | Accession Number: The unique identifier of an EDS record viewable on the advanced record or in the permalink. Contains information specific to UMass and cannot be shared to the other 5C. | Formed from Instance UUID |
LB | Location: FOLIO locations | Unclear which identifier from the location is actually used. |
* Field codes marked with the asterisk are available on the advanced search and results screens in the drop down next to search boxes. Using these will index anything in that box under the rules of the field code selected. Use this to string multiple terms or boolean statements together for targeted searching on specific fields.
Non MARC Field Codes (Capital Letters) | Description |
|---|---|
FT Y | Use in conjunction with a Boolean Operator to find all Full Text for a Search Term. (Combine with FT N to return “all” records in EDS) |
FT N | Theoretically Performs a search for all records without full text. (Combine with FT Y to return “all” records in EDS) |
FM T | Use in conjunction with a Boolean Operator to find all HTML Full Text for a Search Term |
FM P | Use in conjunction with a Boolean Operator to find all PDF Full Text for a Search Term |
FM C | Use in conjunction with a Boolean Operator t |
EBSCO Connect Documentation
EBSCOhost Searching Tips: https://connect.ebsco.com/s/article/EBSCOhost-Searching-Tips?language=en_US
Searching with Field Codes: https://connect.ebsco.com/s/article/Searching-with-Field-Codes?language=en_US#:~:text=EBSCO%20uses%20two%2Dcharacter%20abbreviations,are%20available%20for%20all%20products.
What Field Codes are available when searching EDS?: https://connect.ebsco.com/s/article/What-Field-Codes-are-available-when-searching-EBSCO-Discovery-Service-EDS?language=en_US
How can I limit my search to Full Text using Field Codes: https://connect.ebsco.com/s/article/How-can-I-limit-my-EBSCOhost-search-to-articles-with-Full-Text-using-Field-Codes?language=en_US
Catalog Record Searching
Identifier Searches
Call Number Searches
Call number searching is possible in Discovery, but it does not behave the same was as it does in FOLIO or in the old Aleph OPAC. EDS is not a catalog search, and so, does not have the level of granularity most catalogs would have.
To perform call number searches in EDS, use the NU field code, and end your search with an asterisk wildcard. This will search more than just our MARC records, so always combine your search with a limit to the catalog or specific locations at the Five Colleges.
Enter the call number as it is written - extra periods or spaces (or if content on the spine does not match the metadata in the MARC) will cause the search to either fail or return records which come close to what you’re looking for, but don’t match exactly.
Example Search
NU PA4037.Z5 D85*
(Achilles' shield and the structure of the Iliad / by Guenter A. Duethorn.)
NU PA4037.Z5*
(Works / Titles on Homer w/ Cutter Number)
NU PA4037*
(Works / Titles on Homer w/o Cutter Number)
NU PA*
(Works / Titles in the Classics)
NU P*
(Works / Titles in Language & Literature)