How do I search more effectively with Verse?

If you're looking for a message but can't find it in your long list, you can reduce the search results by filtering the messages by person, folder, or time.

Searching by keyword

The most basic search available is a keyword search. Keywords are any words you type in the search field that do not appear as filter tags. Search looks for exact matches of keywords in the body of all messages.
  • Type any single keyword to search for messages that include that word.
  • Type more than one word to search for messages that include all those words.
  • Put double quotes around a phrase to search for messages that include that exact phrase.
    Note: Single quotes (') will not work, only double quotes (").
  • Type 'OR' between keywords to search for messages that include any of those words.
  • Type an '*' (asterisk) attached to your keyword to search for messages that include that partial word.
Some examples:
Table 1. Searching by keyword
Keywords Results
status This returns messages that contain the word "status".
status report This returns messages that contain the words "status" AND "report", but not necessarily next to each other.
"status report" This returns messages that contain the exact phrase "status report".
status OR report This returns messages that contain "status" OR "report".
key* This returns messages that contain "key" as part of a word, such as key, keys, keyword, keynote.

Refining search results

You can also refine your search results using the Refine search results panel.

Refining your search results

From here you can see all your options for filtering your messages. When you select an option, a filter tag appears in the search field.
Time
Lets you scope your messages to a specific time frame, such as Today or This Week.
Folder
Lets you scope your messages to a specific folder, such as Status Reports, All Documents, or Inbox.
Sender
Lets you scope your messages to a specific person who sent you messages.
Some examples:
Table 2. Refining search results
Filter tags Results Exact syntax
This returns messages that were received Today. This is the same as
date:Today
This returns messages that are in the Status Reports folder. This is the same as:
folder:"Status Reports"
This returns messages that were sent by Larry Moriarty. This is the same as:
from:"Larry Moriarty"

Typing filters in the Search field

You can add filters in the search field and select them from the menu that appears. After selecting one, your message list is refined.

If you don't select a filter from the menu it won't be added as a filter tag and will instead be treated as a keyword.

Filtering by person

You can filter by person by clicking on a person's picture in the important person area or on their business card. When you select a person, a filter tag with their name appears in the search field. By default you will only see messages sent by that person, but you can also choose to view messages sent to that person or to and from that person. Just click the arrow next to their name in the search field, and choose the option you want.

Some examples:
Table 3. Filtering by person
Filter tags Results Exact syntax
This returns messages that were sent by Larry Moriarty. This is the same as:
from:"Larry Moriarty"
This returns messages that were sent to Larry Moriarty. This is the same as:
to:"Larry Moriarty"
This returns messages that were sent by and to Larry Moriarty. This is the same as:
all:"Larry Moriarty"

Combining filters

You can select more than one filter from the refined list to narrow your results even further. Some examples:

Table 4. Combining filters with AND
Filter tags Results Exact syntax
This returns messages from Larry Moriarty AND are in my Inbox. This is the same as: 
from:"Larry Moriarty" AND folder:Inbox
This returns messages from Larry Moriarty AND are in my Inbox AND were received Today.

This is the same as:

from:"Larry Moriarty" AND folder:Inbox AND date:Today

You can also combine filters, then separate them with 'OR' to return messages that include any one of the filters. Some more examples:

Table 5. Combining filters with OR
Filter tags Results Exact syntax
OR This returns messages received Today OR Yesterday.

This is the same as:

date:"Today" OR date:"Yesterday"
OR This returns messages sent by Larry Moriarty OR Dan Misawa.

This is the same as:

from:"Larry Moriarty" OR from:"Dan Misawa"
OR This returns messages from Inbox or the Status Reports folder.

This is the same as:

folder:Inbox OR folder:"Status Reports"

Working with Needs Action and Waiting For

When you are viewing Needs Action or Waiting For lists, you can also use person, folder, and time filter tags. For example:

This returns messages marked as Needs Action AND sent by Larry Moriarty.

Search languages

If your mail contain messages of different languages, you can change your settings to specify a specific language to search. Select Mail and Calendar Settings from the drop down menu under your profile picture, then scroll to the Search Languages settings. The default search languages (up to two) are the languages that are used the most in your mail. IBM Verse will search these automatically when Set search languages automatically based on messages I receive is checked. To choose other languages to use when searching, uncheck this option, then choose up to two default languages.

Troubleshooting

Colons are special characters used in advanced searches. If the keyword or phrase you are searching for includes a colon put double quotes around the whole keyword or phrase.