OL98: Unpredictable Results with the Advanced Tab of Advanced Find

ID: Q210257

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Outlook 98

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Advanced tab in the Advanced Find dialog box to create a multiple statement query, the results are not what you expected.

CAUSE

Multiple conditions are logical AND values. Multiple arguments within a condition are logical OR values.

MORE INFORMATION

Filters can be conditions or sets of conditions to determine what items are shown in a particular folder. Using these filters with views, you can customize the look of your folders. It is important to understand the relation of conditions, and arguments within the conditions, to the underlying logic.

To create sucessful advanced queries, two points need to be understood:

Multiple conditions are AND values. For example, the condition is true if A and B are both true.

Multiple arguments within a condition are OR values. The argument is true if A or B is true.

An AND statement would be:

From:Rob;Subject:Lunch

Rob and Lunch must both exist in the message for a TRUE condition to exist.

An OR statement would be:

From:Rob;Bob;Scott;Subject:Lunch

In this example, if any of the three people on the From line match with the Subject, then the statement will be TRUE.

To Set Up a Multiple Statement Query

On the Tools menu, click Advanced Find.

On the Advanced tab, click Field. In the list, point to a field category and click to select a field from the field list.

In the Conditions list, click to select the condition to apply to the field's value.

In the Value field, type a value, or click to select one from the list if available. Separate multiple values with a semicolon (;) to create the implied OR logical operator in the criteria statement.

Click Add to List. This places the query statement in the Find items that match these pane.

Repeat these steps to select multiple query statements. Each line in the criteria pane is connected with an AND statement.

The Advanced Find uses an implied AND between each query statement. It uses an implied OR between arguments contained within the query statement.

Additional query words: 98 logical logic operators


Keywords          : kbdta 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: April 30, 1999