Tips for POL searching in Alma and Alma Analytics

Tips for POL searching in Alma and Alma Analytics

Searching for POLs in Alma and Analytics can be a little different. Here are some tips.

Alma 

The basic Order Lines > Title search is straightforward. 

  1. This search will find the word(s) anywhere in the title. 
  2. Alma does not interpret this as a phrase search if you add multiple terms. 
  3. Not even adding quotation marks will make this a phrase search.  

The Advanced Order Lines > Title search has only one operator of "Contains Keywords."  

  1. Alma looks for matches anywhere in the title, including the statement of responsibility.  
  2. Multiple search terms are not considered a phrase.

The Advanced Order Lines > Title Starts with only looks at the start of the title string. Remember, the computer/program is looking for a precise, literal match.

  1. So, this will only locate records that start with the word(s). 
  2. Alma treats multiple words as a phrase, so the order must match the title's order.  

The Basic Order Lines > All search looks at multiple data points. 

  1. It does not treat multiple terms as a phrase.  

The Advanced Order Lines > All search looks at multiple data points and only has the "contains keywords" operator. 

  1. It also does not treat multiple words as a string.  
  2. It does not treat the search term as a string even with quotation marks. 
  3. Your search can include words from the title and the publisher.  
 

Alma Analytics 

Alma analytics contains POL information in the Funds Expenditure Subject Area, including bibliographic record details. It does not contain electronic or physical inventory record details. 

Filtering tips: 

  1. Remember to check that the operator is the one you want to use.  
  2. Only use equals and not equals with full, exact strings. 
  3. If you are unsure of the complete string for a data element, "Begins with" works nicely. 
  4. Also, values you hand-enter must be precisely formatted as the data you are trying to match, including capitalization.
  5. If I am unsure of the information, I can use the filter's value field binoculars to pull up a mini-search. Then, I can search for the title. Remember, less is more when starting a search. Also, if you had hand-entered a value, it will show in the selected field. Remember to clear it before running the analysis.  
  6.  Another option would be changing your operator or shortening the string you want to match. 

 

 

 

 

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