#$ Define {vfld10}search{vfld} fields, which are categories of information containing a group of words or phrases just like {vfld10}index{vfld} keywords. The user can select from a list of entries. The use of fields is demonstrated in How-To 11.2.
Use numeric data, as well as characters, within fields. This lets the user {vfld10}search{vfld} on values such as dates or numbers. The author defines fields such as birth dates, ages, or weights that  can be used in the {vfld10}search{vfld} criteria. The numbers must be in the proper {vfld10}format{vfld} to be interpreted properly. The standard formats supported by Viewer are described at the end of How-To {vfld11}{dtype1}11.2{dtype}{vfld}, which demonstrates the use of data types.
Use aliases to define alternate versions of words or phrases in your text. This could include alternate names (Samuel Clemens for Mark Twain) or alternate formats of text required for numeric fields ({vfld12}{dtype2}07/04/1776{dtype}{vfld} for July 4, 1776 or American Independence Day). Aliases can also be used to associate searchable text with pictures or multimedia elements. Aliases are usually assigned to fields. The use of aliases is demonstrated in How-To {vfld11}{dtype1}11.3{dtype}{vfld}.
Define topic groups that the user can select from to limit the scope of a {vfld10}search{vfld} operation. The do not have to be the same groups used for {vfld10}Browse{vfld} operations, but may include {vfld10}Browse{vfld} groups if desired. A topic can be included in more than one Searchable group. The use of Searchable topic groups is demonstrated in How-To {vfld11}{dtype1}11.4{dtype}{vfld}.

# $Use fuzzy searches for words, by eliminating word suffixes from the comparison. A {vfld10}search{vfld} for “metallic” would match with terms including metal, metals, and metallize. The use of fuzzy searches is demonstrated in How-To {vfld11}{dtype1}11.4{dtype}{vfld}.
Exclude common words from the {vfld10}Search{vfld} {vfld10}index{vfld} to reduce the {vfld10}index{vfld} size and speed up the {vfld10}search{vfld}. Viewer already eliminates common terms such as the, and, and or—you can add any other words you used frequently that would not be useful for searching. This procedure is demonstrated in How-To {vfld11}{dtype1}11.4{dtype}{vfld}.
Control the handling of special characters, such as à or æ. This procedure is not demonstrated in this book, but is explained in the Viewer documentation.
Create a custom {vfld10}Search{vfld} dialog box, which may use specialized {vfld10}search{vfld} logic. This requires moderately difficult programming. A sample custom {vfld10}Search{vfld} program is included the MVSAMPLE directory on the enclosed CD-ROM disk.