Search the website

Developing the search: changing files

2004 version 2
24 May 2004

Change database and multifile searching
Select the icon on the Main Search page to change between files corresponding to each MEDLINE segment (by year). You will be asked if you wish to repeat the searches you already have listed on the screen in another file. Answer yes if you wish to do this. If you answer no to this question you will taken afresh into the new file of your choice. In either case your previous search history will be lost unless you have first saved it.

If you wish to search more than one file at once, eg MEDLINE only between 1982 and 1992 enter the ..c command followed by the short names of the databases you wish to include in the Enter Keyword or phrase box on the Main Search page. For example,
..c med2,med3

You will be taken to a Main Search page where your selected databases are listed at the top of the screen.

A full list of file names is included in our Frequently Asked Questions page, but please note that this option is more commonly used where more than one type of database is offered. In the above example it is better to search the entire MEDLINE database then limit the result by the year range.

Any questions? Please contact the MEDLINE Plus help desk:
tel: 020 7383 6224 or 020 73836737
email: info.medline@bma.org.uk
web: http://www.bma.org.uk/medline