| Search Types | Example | |
| Citations |
Find: 39 harv. lr 1
Fi: 39 harv. lr 1 |
Use when you are uncertain of the citation format and want to prevent a search from running if the citation is not valid. If you are certain of the citation, you can just type it in without Find: in front of it. |
| Find and Print Multiple Citations | 562fs263; 97 sct 569; 42 u.s.c.1983 | Enter multiple citations separated by semicolons. - or - Copy and paste up to 20 citations from a list directly into the search box without needing to add semicolons. |
| Find by Party Name | Brown v. Board | Enter party names directly into the search box. Whenever possible, the closest match will display at the top of the page in a blue box above your search results. Below the blue box, WestSearch results are displayed, ranked by relevance. |
| KeyCite a Document |
keycite 93 sct 1817 or kc: 93 sct 1817 |
Enter keycite or kc: followed by a citation into the search box. The result is a dynamic KeyCite display. If the document has been negatively referenced, Westlaw will display the Negative Treatment. If there are no negative references, Westlaw will display Citing References |
| Publication or Database | oh-st = Looking for this? feature appears and suggests Ohio Statutes and Court Rules) | |
| Database Identifier | OHPRAC-OEA: infliction of emotional distress OH-ST-ANN: ti,pr(misdemeanor and sentencing) |
Search in a particular database. Overrides the jurisdiction you selected. |
| Publication name with search terms |
ohio administrative code: workers compensation dispute self-insured claim baldwin's ohio practice-merrick-rippner probate law: codicil and after-acquired property |
Sometimes must type in the exact title, see merrick rippner example to the left.
Overrides the jurisdiction you selected. |
| Topic |
Criminal law:conversion and elements |
Enter the name of any topic available in Westlaw on the Topics tab, followed by a colon and your search terms. |
| Advanced |
Advanced: conversion and elements Adv: Conversion and elements |
To indicate a Boolean search. If you type in a search with only AND/OR connectors, you must type Advanced: or Adv: in order for it to run as a terms and connectors search, not a natural language WestSearch. |