Microsoft KB Archive/139530

= Multimedia: Using an Asterisk Wildcard Slows Searches =

Article ID: 139530

Article Last Modified on 1/19/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Bookshelf 96-97 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Bookshelf 98 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Bookshelf 99 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Bookshelf 2000 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Encarta Encylopedia 1994 Edition
 * Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 96 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 97 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 97 Deluxe Edition

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This article was previously published under Q139530



SYMPTOMS
When you use the asterisk (*) wildcard character in an advanced search, the search process takes an extremely long time to complete.



CAUSE
Wildcard searches using the asterisk character are supported in many multimedia programs. However, if you type an asterisk followed by the text you are searching for, the search takes much longer because the query must search through hundreds of thousands of words to find the words ending with the text you specified.



RESOLUTION
To avoid long waiting times for search results, enclose the text you are searching for in quotation marks, or use the following search operators:
 * And
 * Or
 * Not
 * Near



MORE INFORMATION
If you search for words that start with the text you enter, the search process is much faster.

For detailed information on how to search for text or keywords, please see the Search topic in the program's online Help.

Additional query words: multi multi-media media mm

Keywords: kbprb kbui KB139530

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