---
title: "Wildcard Operators"
url: "https://help.quartet.pro/en/article/wildcard-operators"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2025-08-21T12:15:33.895Z"
---

# Wildcard Operators

Wildcard Operators are used within a search expression to allow for more flexibility with words, dates, or names, and to allow for clever truncation to cover multiple tenses and pluralities.

-   Wildcard Operators may be used with any field.
-   Wildcard Operators may be used at the start, middle, or end of a word.
-   Multiple Wildcard Operators can be used and combined in the same search.

| ⁎ | Unlimited Truncation<br>Represents zero or any number of additional characters (letters or numbers). | deploy**⁎**  <br>*(Results include: deploy, deploys, deployment, & deploying)*<br>\*duction  <br>*(Results include: introduction, reduction, & overproduction)*<br>dimethyl\*ne  <br>*(Results include: dimethylamine, dimethylglyoxime, & dimethylpropane)* |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ? | Optional Single Character Truncation<br>Represents zero to one additional character.<br>**NOTE**: Multiple ?s can be stacked to represent multiple characters<br>??? represents zero to three additional characters | phone**?**  <br>*(Results include: phone & phones)*<br>comput**???**  <br>*(Results include: computer, computes, computing, computed)*<br>??flammable  <br>*(Results include: flammable & inflammable)*<br>colo?r  <br>*(Results include: color & colour)* |
| # | Single Character Truncation<br>Represents exactly one character that must be present. | analy**#**e  <br>*(Results include: analyze & analyse)*<br>analyze#  <br>*(Results include: analyzes & analyzed)*<br>#zar  <br>*(Results include: tzar & czar)* |
| + | Class Code Stemming Operator<br>**Specific to classification search fields (CPC, IPC, USPC, JPFI, & JPFT)**<br>The operator returns results for the classification code queried and any of its subordinate classes.<br>**Note:** The standard wildcard operators (\*, ?, #) can also be used with classification search fields. | IPC=G01N33/00+  <br>(Results include: G01N33/00 and its subordinate class codes, i.e., G01N33/02 & G01N33/558) |

**Examples:**

FT=((Lap\_top? 3D batter\*) AND (batter\* 1S charg\*))

FT="3D goggle?" AND (virtual\* 3D reality)

AB=(\*ethyl 2w \*fenyl)

TI=(\*ethyl 2w \*fenyl???)

USPC=340+

USPC=340/2\*

CPC=(G07F19/20\*)

IPC/CPC=(G07F19/20\*)

**Notes, Suggestions, and Warnings:**

-   The asterisk ( \* ) operator allows for end truncation. Its meaning and use are the same anywhere within Quartet.
-   The plus sign ( + ) operator is a unique wildcard that can only be used with classification code searching and is used for searching the hierarchy of a classification schedule. For example, **CPC=(G07F19/20\*)** will search for all classifications that start with G07F19/20 and will returns results including G07F19/201-209. However, this search will not include indented subgroups such as **G07F19/21** that would be captured by **CPC=(G07F19/20+)**.
-   For best results, include text that is specific as possible. For example, consider these options for a search directed toward language and speech.
    -   FT=phon\*  
        This search will return results related phonics and phonemes. However, it will also return results related to phones, which will likely introduce noise into the results.
    -   FT=(phonic? OR phoneme?)  
        This search will probably yield more focused results.
-   For best results, consider using a more focused wildcard. For example, consider these options for a search directed toward automotive technology.
    -   FT=car\*  
        This search will return results related to cars, but it will also find results related cartridges, carriers, cartons, cards, carts, etc.
    -   FT=car?  
        This search will probably yield more focused results.
-   Quartet support the use of multiple wildcard operators used in combination. However, a large number of wildcard operators will cause searches to take a longer time and depending on the specific query it is possible that a complex query with many wildcard operators will be unable to run.