Advanced search based on key phrases

[rthrech]

I seriously need advanced searching. 

Dropbox used to have these features (like search exact phrase) in 2015, but somehow removed them. 

So how can I do advanced searching in dropbox?
Like:

List files with age between x and y
Contain the phrase "a b c"
are of type *.pdf

...

[rthrech]

To give you a very simple example: I'd like to search for documents that contain the date "13.10.2020". The normal search returns all documents that have 13, or 10 or 2020 either in the document text or the filenames. Can you imagine how useless this is if you have many documents?

[Hannah]

Hey @rthrech, thanks for posting on our Community.

We do offer a feature called full-text search, which allows you to search files by name, extension (file type) or keyword within the file.

If you're on a paid account, you should have access to it and you can read more about it here.

If it's not working as expected, can you please try using a different browser or an incognito window?

If you'd like to have a search function that is not available, you can post about it on our idea board.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[rthrech]

Hi Hannah,

I do have a paid (business) account.

I know about your full-text search, but as I tried to explain: It is pretty much useless if you have many documents.

This issue is NOT related to the browser. 

1. I search for the date "20.03.2021"

2. I expect to get results that have the phrase "20.03.2021" either in the filename, or document contents

3. What I get is ALL files that have either 20, or 03, or 2021 in their filename or contents. 

(4. even worse: the documents that have the exact phrase, do not even get a high priority  in the matches)

[Walter]

Hey @rthrech, sorry to be jumping in here.

Could you please clarify for how long have you been seeing this behavior and if it happens with other search terms as well? 

If you'd like to, I'd be more than happy to send you an email to have a better look internally. 

[rthrech]

The problem exists since you removed the "Advanced Search" feature in 2015!

There are many people complaining about the search

• https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-files-folders/Advanced-search-missing/td-p/9834/page/4
• https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-API-Support-Feedback/Search-is-returning-more-matches-than-e...
• ...

It seems like the logic is

1. Split the user's input  at any non-alphanumeric character
2. search for each result individually and return all results merged

you need another example:

search for: b1.pdf

I get every match for "b1" OR "pdf"

[willsacks]

I have the exact same issue. I'm trying to find a document with "01.03.2019" in the title and the search returns every document with a 01, a 03 or a 2019 making it completely useless. 

This morning I need to find a file with "3-Audio" in the title. I search for "3-Audio" and receive a list of files with 3 in the file name and not the file I need. 

This is a MAJOR problem. I'm a paid user and use dropbox to run my music studio. We have thousands of music files and often I need to find the right one and currently I can't. 

[daniel elbo arama]

That is so true! I need it the exact same way. The only solution I have for you - connect to your Dropbox through your laptop and when inside your folders sort them as you like or search them. Thats the best you can. You should also suggest that to Dropbox team in the ideas section! I am supporting! 😊

[LimpingPilgrim]

Does anyone know a way to use WIndows search that does NOT require copying all files to the hard drive? 

I am another plus user mystified by poor searching online. Please allow advanced searching again! -- Lee

[plabuz]

The current search engine is crap, and Dropbox knows it. The decision to remove the former advance search function was a business one. This probably cost them too much CPU credits. I cannot install Dropbox on my computer because it is not in line with my client's policy when I am working for them. Thus, I can only use it through the browser.

To conclude, this is my last month of using the paid version.