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Error Messages

Syntax errors are the most common reasons why error messages are generated by the application. The following error messages display when the software detects syntax errors in a query from the Search or Advanced Search page. Review the appropriate error message, and then retype the search query with the correct syntax.

Search Error: Invalid query. Please check syntax

This message appears if a search returns an error that is not defined as any other error. This is a generic error message. Edit your search query and try again.

Search Error: Invalid right parenthesis

This message appears if you enter a right parenthesis as the first character in a query or you enclose a null string with a right parenthesis. For example, entering TS=)network returns this error message.

Search Error: Missing right/left parenthesis

This message appears if you create a query with a missing parenthesis. For example, entering TS=(fungi AND carbon returns this error message.

Search Error: Missing right/left quote

This message appears if you are searching for an exact phrase, but fail to include the left or right quotation ("") mark. For example, entering TS="chicken soup or TS=chicken soup" returns this error message.

Search Error: Missing Boolean Operator

This message appears if you do not select the AND or OR Boolean operator at the top of the Search History table. Select the AND or OR option to perform a set combination search.

Search Error: The Year Published field must be combined with at least one other search field

This message appears if you do a publication year search alone. You must enter a publication year combined with another field. Therefore, enter a publication year with a Topic, Title, Author, and/or Publication Name search query.

Search Error: Invalid set reference

This message appears if you enter a single set number that does not appear in the Search History table. It also appears if you try to combine two sets and one set number does not exist. For example, entering #1 AND #3 returns this error message if set #3 does not appear in the Search History table.

Set Combination Error: Select at least two sets to combine

This message appears when you fail to select at least two sets to combine when you create a set combination search within the Search History table.

Search Error: Missing or invalid field tag in query

This message appears if:

For example:

You enter a field tag and a search term immediately after a right parenthesis without using a Boolean operator.

TS=(axon and dendrite) TS=research

Or

TS=fungi AND carbon

You enter an incorrect field tag.

AT=cell* AND TS=chlorophyll

You fail to enter a field tag or a set number (#) sign.
  • memory cell
  • TS = memory cell and neuron

Search Error: Invalid use of Boolean operator

This message appears if:

 For example:

An operator is the first term in a query.

TS=OR memory cell

Or

OR #1 OR #3

An operator follows a left parenthesis.

TS=(OR memory cell)

Or

#1 AND (OR #4)

An operator follows another operator.

TS=(neuron OR NOT axon)

An operator appears at the end of a query or set.
  • TS=memory cell AND
  • TS=(memory cell AND)
  • #1 AND #4 OR

The SAME operator is used to combine fields or sets.

TS=memory cell SAME AU=Smith

Or

#1 SAME #4 AND #5

Search Error: Invalid use of truncation

This message appears if:

 For example:

The query contains left-hand truncation by using the asterisk (*), the question mark (?), or the dollar sign ($).
  • TS=*arbon
  • TS=?arbon
  • TS=$arbon

The query does not contain enough characters before a wildcard. When used at the end of a search term, you must enter at least three characters before a wildcard.

However, this rule does not apply if additional characters follow the wildcard. For example, the following is a valid search query:

TS=ce*ular (for cellular)
  • TS=ca*
  • TS=ca?
  • TS=ca$
You include a wildcard in a set combination.
  • #1 AND *
  • #1 OR #2?
  • #1 NOT #3$
You include a wildcard in a Year Published search
  • PY=200*
  • PY=199$
This help page last modified 5/29/2008

© 2008 THOMSON REUTERS