A fuzzy search allows you to retrieve results that would otherwise be missed due to minor variations such as misspellings or typographical errors.
Fuzzy search uses a numeric value on a scale from 0.0 to 1.0 to control how closely results must match the search term:
- 1.0 – Returns exact matches only.
- 0.0 – Matches nearly everything (not recommended, as it can significantly impact performance).
The recommended range for fuzzy searches is 0.5–0.9, which balances flexibility with performance.
Example: With a fuzzy value of 0.8, a search for plaintiff would return documents containing variations such as plaintifh.
When should I use fuzzy search?
Fuzzy search is most useful when you expect spelling errors, OCR inaccuracies, or inconsistent terminology—such as in scanned documents or informal communications.
Avoid using very low fuzzy values (below 0.5) on large data sets, as they can return overly broad results and negatively affect search performance.
Advanced Search Builder
Resulting Search Syntax
Set up a fuzzy search using the Advanced Search feature.
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