search simplification

[Fynjisx]

In order not to write long search queries, I suggest this option. We write a short search query. Next, we freeze this request by checking the checkbox. We write the second request, which will already be considered in the area limited by the previous one, again we freeze it, and so on. This is much more convenient than writing long queries every time.

[Sirtel]

The saved searches option already exists. Or do you mean something different?

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

The saved searches option already exists. Or do you mean something different?

I think what the OP wants is to be able to search on, say authors starting with "D", then search the search results for books with "Forlorn" in the title and then search those results for books with another search term, repeating ad nauseum.

Personally, when I want that type of convoluted search, I create the search in Notepad++ and then copy/paste into calibre's search box.

[ownedbycats]

One option I personally use is to search a query, mark all the results, then add AND marked:true to the new query.

[DNSB]

Which is pretty much what the OP wants but using a checkbox instead of adding the marked true.

[un_pogaz]

There a feature "*current search" in the "Virtual library" button. This feature allows you to create a temporary virtual library based on the current search.
Do your first search, click on "*current search", do your second search, click again on "*current search" Calibre will automatically merge the previous searches, etc. etc.
Note: There is no history of your searches, only the last/current one and it will not be kept when you restart Calibre, so you will have to either tag them or save the final search (to retrieve it, clicked on "Create Virtual library", the complete search will appear)

[BetterRed]

A few years ago I stumbled on a tool that was not dissimilar to calibre's Advanced Search with the added feature of a multi-term search-expression builder with not, and, and or operators, plus parentheses for bracketing terms.

At the time I made a mental note to send a message to chaley asking if something similar could be added to calibre's Advanced Search… which I promptly forgot about. I haven't been able to find that tool since, it may have been a digital asset manager or a database browser, it wasn't open source or anything like free.

BR

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

A few years ago I stumbled on a tool that was not dissimilar to calibre's Advanced Search with the added feature of a multi-term search-expression builder with not, and, and or operators, plus parentheses for bracketing terms.

At the time I made a mental note to send a message to chaley asking if something similar could be added to calibre's Advanced Search… which I promptly forgot about. I haven't been able to find that tool since, it may have been a digital asset manager or a database browser, it wasn't open source or anything like free.

BR

I once asked whether it would be possible to press ctrl or alt while clicking on a tag browser entry in order to add an AND/OR modifier, similar to how double-clicking will add a NOT. I forgot the exact details, but it wasn't possible from a technical standpoint.

[Fynjisx]

Originally Posted by un_pogaz

There a feature "*current search" in the "Virtual library" button. This feature allows you to create a temporary virtual library based on the current search.
Do your first search, click on "*current search", do your second search, click again on "*current search" Calibre will automatically merge the previous searches, etc. etc.
Note: There is no history of your searches, only the last/current one and it will not be kept when you restart Calibre, so you will have to either tag them or save the final search (to retrieve it, clicked on "Create Virtual library", the complete search will appear)

OK. how to get back?

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by Fynjisx

OK. how to get back?

Have you tried RTFM? Reading The Fine Manual

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

[Fynjisx]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

I once asked whether it would be possible to press ctrl or alt while clicking on a tag browser entry in order to add an AND/OR modifier, similar to how double-clicking will add a NOT. I forgot the exact details, but it wasn't possible from a technical standpoint.

why is it impossible? mark a tag, while pressing Shift while selecting another tag, they will be combined by and if you hold down Ctrl - or.

[Fynjisx]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Have you tried RTFM? Reading The Fine Manual

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

send me this FINE MANUAL!

[BetterRed]

press F1

[DNSB]

As well as hitting F1, you might want to check calibre User Manual or perhaps you might prefer Руководство пользователя calibre.

You can also download the manual in PDF, ePub and AZW3/KF8 from those pages.

Edit: Check the Graphical User Interface sections of the manual especially The search interface and Saving searches sections.

[un_pogaz]

Originally Posted by Fynjisx

OK. how to get back?

Click on "<None>", it will disable the current temporary virtual library (the last temporary virtual library will still available).

This last point, I knew it before I understood how "*current search" works, because some plugins use it (and launch a temporary virtual library). My library had shrunk dramatically and I couldn't figure out why since there was no search going on and I was on the "All book" tab.
A nice moment of panic.