Search fields

From ICA-AtoM
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Please note that ICA-AtoM is no longer actively supported by Artefactual Systems.
Visit https://www.accesstomemory.org for information about AtoM, the currently supported version.

Main Page > User manual > Access content > Advanced search > Field names for advanced searching


To search on particular fields, enter in the search box the field name followed by a colon followed by the search term (e.g. exampleField:exampleTerm).

Fields are grouped by their information area on the edit page.

Fields names must be entered exactly as shown in order for the search to work.

Field labels are listed as they appear on the pages shipped with ICA-AtoM. If your administrator has customized the field labels in your ICA-AtoM application, these may be different from what appears on your page.

Archival description

The following is a list of the fields in archival description records that can be searched.

  • The Search field is used for searches e.g. "levelOfDescription:fonds"
  • The ISAD label and RAD label list the field label as displayed in AtoM
  • Some fields are weighted more heavily when scoring search results - this has been noted as e.g. "5x weight" in the Notes


Search field ISAD label RAD label Notes
accessConditions Conditions governing access
accruals Accruals
acquisition Immediate source of acquisition
appraisal Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
archivalHistory Archival history
arrangement System of arrangement
creator Creator 8x weight
creatorHistory Administrative/biographical history
date Full date
endDate End date YYYYMMDD format
extentAndMedium Extent and medium
filename N/A N/A Digital object filename
findingAids Finding aids
hasDigitalObject N/A N/A Has a digital object ("true" or "false")
identifier Identifier 5x weight
language Language of material
levelOfDescription Level of description
locationOfCopies Location of copies
locationOfOriginals Location of originals
mediaType N/A N/A Digital object media type
name Name access points 3x weight
notes * * * includes all "note" fields
partOf N/A N/A Top-level description title
physicalCharacteristics Physical characteristics
physicalStorage N/A N/A Physical storage container name
place Place access points 3x weight
referenceCode Reference code
relatedUnitsOfDescription Related units of description
repository Repository
reproductionConditions Conditions governing reproduction
scopeAndContent Scope and content
script Script of material
sources Sources
startDate Start date YYYYMMDD format
subject Subject access points 5x weight
title Title 10x weight

Searching Dates

  • startDate:[YYYYMMDD TO YYYYMMDD]
    • This will search for start dates between the two dates listed, inclusive.
  • endDate:{YYYYMMDD TO YYYYMMDD}
    • This will search for end dates between the two dates listed, exclusive.
  • date:[1974 TO 1984]
    • This will search for textual dates (including uncertain dates) between 1974 and 1984, inclusive. Note: because this date data is not structured, the results may be vary due to inconsistencies in formatting.

Authority record

The following is a list of the fields in authority records that can be searched. The field label is presented as it is displayed, followed by its field name for search purposes.

Identity area

  • Authorized form of name: authorizedFormOfName

Description area

  • Dates of Existence: datesOfExistence
  • Functions, occupations and activities: functions
  • History: history
  • Places: places
  • Legal Status: legalStatus
  • Mandates: mandates
  • Internal Structures: internalStructures
  • General context: generalContext

Control area

  • Description identifier: identifier