Enterprise Search using Keyword Search syntax is problematic

Question

I am using keyword search syntax and I am using the Search web service with SharePoint 2010 standard and I am having trouble getting it to work correctly or consistently. Here is a simplfied example.

"Someword" AND SomePropertyRestriction:"50608"   works OK

"Someword" OR SomePropertyRestriction:"50608"   fails with 
           "Your query is malformed. Please rephrase your query."

Using only OOB fields with the OOB search bar at the top of every sharepoint page:

Size:5005198 AND Drawings works
Size:5005198 OR Drawings  fails

Can anyone please explain why? I am so stuck.

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macrel

Answer 1

This appears to be an undocumented restriction. I got the clue from the advanced search page in an Enterprise Search Center site.

I am still looking for work arounds and I am unclear whether a fulltextsql search would allow what I want to do.

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macrel

Answer 2

There are some good resources on the operators, property restrictions and keyword queries here:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee872310.aspx (Using Operators in Keyword Queries)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff394619.aspx (Free-Text Keyword Queries)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff394619.aspx (Property Restriction Keyword Queries)

It does seem like there is an undocumented (depending on how you interpret the documentation) restriction with the OR operator whereby you must use either a property restriction on both sides of the operator, or a free-text expression on both sides of the operator, but not a mix of them.

Quote: "OR - Returns search results that include one or more of the specified free text expressions or property restrictions. You must specify a valid free text expression and/or a valid property restriction both preceding and following the OR operator."

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Regards, Matthew
MCPD | MCITP
My Blog
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