# Find notes

> Search by words or by meaning, narrow by tags and status, and use search operators.

Page: https://docs.memex.tools/find-notes

memex first looks for notes that contain all your words. If none do, it searches by meaning, so a question in your own words finds the note that answers it.

### 1. Search
On **Notes**, type in the search box and press **Enter**.

![Notes with the search box, tags and status filters](https://docs.memex.tools/images/notes.jpg)

### 2. Narrow the list
Use **All tags** and the status menu beside the search box.

### 3. Clear a filter
Remove a filter with its **×**, or press **Clear all**.

## Search operators

| Type | To find |
|---|---|
| `memex memory` | Both words, in any order |
| `memex OR memory` | Either word |
| `NOT ai` or `-ai` | Notes without the word |
| `(memex OR memory) NOT ai` | A group, then an exclusion |
| `"review gate"` | The exact phrase |

![The Search operators panel](https://docs.memex.tools/images/search-operators.jpg)

> **Note**
>
> Operators are uppercase. A search with operators matches words as written, never by meaning.

## Next steps

- [Workspaces](https://docs.memex.tools/workspaces): Save a search or a set of filters in the sidebar, one click away.
- [Map](https://docs.memex.tools/map): Your notes as dots and their links as lines, with views for orphans, hubs and stale notes.

> **Tip:** Press **?** beside the search box for the operators, without leaving the page.

## Related

- [Workspaces](https://docs.memex.tools/workspaces): Save a search or a set of filters in the sidebar, one click away.
- [Map](https://docs.memex.tools/map): Your notes as dots and their links as lines, with views for orphans, hubs and stale notes.
- [Search by meaning misses a new note](https://docs.memex.tools/search-misses-new-note): A note you just approved can take a few minutes to show up in search by meaning.