Text Query Syntax

Text query syntax

The power search box accepts a compact text syntax for precise filtering — ideal if you'd rather type qty<10 mfr:acme than click through the visual builder. Pressing Enter runs it (and fills the builder, so you can fine-tune afterwards).

Where to find it: the second box in the Visual search panel (Inventory → More → Visual search).

The basics

A query is a list of terms separated by spaces. A bare word matches item names:

esp32

Add a field: prefix to search a specific field:

mfr:acme          items whose manufacturer contains "acme"
name:bracket      items whose name contains "bracket"

Field names are case-insensitive and accept short aliases.

Fields you can search

Field	Aliases	Matches
Name	name	The item name
Description	description, desc	The description
Notes	notes, note	Free-text notes
Manufacturer	manufacturer, mfr, make	The maker
Part number	mpn	Manufacturer part number
Barcode	barcode, gtin, upc, ean	A scanned/entered barcode
Serial number	serial, serialnumber, sn	The unit's serial number
Quantity	quantity, qty	On-hand count (numeric)
Weight	weight	Item weight (numeric)
Dimensions	width, height, depth	Bounding size (numeric)
Favourite	favourite, favorite, fav	Pinned favourites (yes/no)

Comparisons

Numeric fields accept >, < and =:

qty<10            fewer than 10 in stock
qty=0             out of stock
weight>500        heavier than 500 g

The favourite flag is a yes/no:

fav:yes           only your favourites

Capabilities

Capabilities are weighted attributes you define. Use the cap: prefix:

cap:waterproof            items that have the "waterproof" capability
cap:voltage>3.3           capability "voltage" greater than 3.3
cap:colour=red            capability "colour" equal to "red"

Custom category fields work the same way with field: (or cf:):

field:material=steel

Combining terms

• Spaces mean AND — every term must match: qty<10 mfr:acme.
• OR — either side: mfr:acme OR mfr:globex.
• Parentheses group logic: cap:voltage>3.3 (qty<10 OR mfr:acme).

💡 Tip A value containing a bracket or a | must be quoted so it isn't read as grouping — for example name:"a|b".

ℹ️ Note If a term can't be understood, Gubbins tells you why rather than silently ignoring it — so a typo'd field name is easy to spot and fix.

Related pages

• Visual query builder — the same queries, built by clicking.
• Natural-language search — no syntax to learn at all.
• Saved searches & favourites — keep a query for reuse.