Batch search

Use the batch search to check large numbers of items. Batch searches run in the background, meaning you can do other things whilst they complete, and the results are saved in your search history.

For batch searching, you can upload a file of standard numbers (with a maximum of 50,000 numbers), a file of title phrases in a text file (each title on a separate line with a maximum of 500 titles), or you can run a keyword search as a batch search:

  • A standard number search will identify all matches with existing records in the database
  • A title phrase batch search must be in plain text format with each title on a separate line
  • A keyword search run as a batch search will be saved in your search history, and bypasses the standard search maximum of 5000 records for refining and visualising results

Standard number search

Please note:

  • Your batch file must be in the form of a comma separated list (e.g. 0903793903,1902576330,1902576594,9780903793353...).
  • Your file must be in a 'text only' format. If you are using a word processor, save your file as plain text with a .txt file extension (e.g. test-isbns.txt).
  • If you are creating your file of numbers in a spreadsheet, save your file in Comma Separated Value format with a .csv file extension (e.g. test-isbns.csv).

Warning: If you are using a spreadsheet to create your file, ensure the ISBNs (or equivalent) are defined as text in the relevant spreadsheet column(s). If the data type is not specified your ISBNs may be identified as numbers, which can result in leading 0s being dropped from the ISBNs within the spreadsheet. This will invalidate the ISBNs and will affect your search results.

Your batch file may contain numbers in the form of:

  • 10 or 13-digit ISBNs
  • 10 or 13-digit ISMNs
  • 8-digit ISSNs
  • Local record numbers (available for NBK contributors only, as these numbers are included in their records in the database)

Each batch file can only contain numbers of one kind from the list above. You cannot mix number types within a single file.

Title phrase search

This search queries the main title within records, and it does an exact phrase search.

Please note:

  • Your batch file must be in the form of a plain text file with each title or phrase on a separate line, in order to identify separate search terms
  • Your file must be in a 'text only' format. If you are using a word processor, save your file as plain text with a .txt file extension (e.g. test-isbns.txt).

Running a batch search

To run a search:

  • Upload your file by clicking 'Choose file' and selecting the file from your computer
  • Select the file type you have used from the drop down list
  • Click 'Search' at the bottom of the page
  • See Refinement options for guidance on the options to further refine your search

The ‘Batch search in progress’ screen will display whilst the search is running: large batch searches can take a little while. The search will continue in the background, allowing you to use the browser window for other things, or to do another search while waiting for your results.

When the search is complete the results page will automatically be displayed. Or, if you have been doing other things, you can check your results on the Search History page later. Your batch search results set will be retained for ONE WEEK, but your search can be re-run at any time from the Search History page.

Please note when viewing your results: with very large batch searches, you may find that the visualisations don't work well (if at all), or are slow to display.

Keyword search

It is worth running a keyword search as a batch search if you think the results set will be large. For example:

  • An author search for 'Garnier, Frédéric', or a precise subject search such as 'Forest management France', works well as a normal keyword search
  • A search for 'Prokofiev, Sergey' or the broader subject 'Forest management' works OK as a normal keyword search, but you may need to be patient whilst the visualisation is generated
  • An author search such as 'Dickens, Charles' or a subject search such as 'Database management', with more results, would be better run in batch mode

To run a keyword search as a batch search:

  • Make sure you are in the 'Keyword Search' tab in the search area
  • Enter your search terms in the Author / Title / Subject fields as appropriate
  • Select the 'Treat as batch search' option
  • Click 'Search' at the bottom of the page
  • See Refinement options for guidance on the options to further refine your search

As for the other types of batch search, the ‘Batch search in progress’ screen will display whilst the search is running: large batch searches can take a little while. The search will continue in the background, allowing you to use the browser window for other things, or to do another search while waiting for your results.

When the search is complete the results page will automatically be displayed. Or, if you have been doing other things, you can check your results in your search history later. Your batch search results set will be retained for ONE WEEK, but your search can be re-run at any time from your search history.