Search Tools

Searching your Google Drive

Google is the king of search and has an excellent search function within Drive that many people do not use. You will find you rarely use folders once you start using the search function (of course you can still use folders if you wish and some people like to colour code folders). When searching, use the dropdown menu which you find in the "search drive" bar. When you click the down arrow, it allows you to refine your search by type, owner, location, and many other descriptors. For example, I could search for an image owned by Michelle Te Amo and find only one. Can you tell me what it is or has she shared more photos with you?

Searching your g-mail

The gmail search function is also very underused. Once again, the down arrow in the "Search Mail" bar gives you access to many search options such as from, to , subject, or even "includes the words" so you can do a thorough search even if you have forgotten who the email was from.

Searching the internet

Be sure to use "Tools" at the top of the search page to refine your search. Apart from chosing whether you are looking for articles, images, videos or news, you can refine your searches so that you can find "free to use" images (but don't forget to attribute to the owner even if it is free.) Clicking on the down arrow nest to "All Results" will allow you to select the images with the appropriate rights. Many people do not realise that you cannot just use any images on the internet. It would be similar to going into an art gallery and taking one off the wall that you like. It is not your property and you should only use images that are noted as free .

Boolean Searches

Here is a list of some common Boolean expressions which will refine your search. Google makes things pretty simple. For example, if I wanted to search for Harry but not the prince, I just need to type in harry -prince and it gives me all the links that are about harrys other than the prince (i.e. Potter, Styles, Connick Jnr etc) Here is a link to searching on Google including advanced search operators

Page updated

Report abuse