Each document contains keywords associated with the subject matter. By entering keywords with the document name, number, program or subject matter, users obtain a list of related documents and forms. The desired document can then be selected from the list. Note: Keywords are not listed in the search results.
The search engine searches the system for keywords or the DHS document number. They do not search the content of a document.
The most efficient way to search is by DHS document number, if known. For example: DHS-1234-ENG, DHS-1234 or 1234. Searches that use spaces instead of hyphens will still work (i.e., 1234 ENG or DHS 1234), but will not be as efficient. Searches that do not separate the three parts of the document number (i.e., DHS1234ENG or DHS1234) will generally not work, as the search will not recognize it as a document number and will instead look for matching keywords.
When multiple words are listed, the results will contain documents that contain all of the given words (in any order) somewhere in the document name, number, keywords or subject matter.
Keywords are not case sensitive.
The more specific the search terms (i.e., the DHS document number), the quicker the results. Adding many search terms will typically slow the search down.
Results are sorted in sequential order based on the document number.
Documents marked with the lock icon are secure forms that require you to log in to eDocs. Selecting a link with the lock icon will bring up a page asking you to log in (if you are not currently logged in to eDocs) before displaying the document. If you don't have a login ID, contact the eDocs help desk.
Search results pages cannot be added to favorites or bookmarked; however, individual links to documents in the search results can be added to favorites or bookmarked.
Search results are displayed in their own window. New searches or subsets of the search results (when the within these results option is checked) can be performed from the search results page. To return to the main search page, simply close the search results window.
When performing searches from the search results page, the results per page choice and any selected languages from the first search will carry through on all subsequent searches. If these options need to be changed, close the search results window, return to the main search page to change the options and start a new search.
To find an exact phrase, put quotation marks around the words. Example: Minnesota Health Care Programs.
To broaden the number of search results, enter part of a word and add an asterisk before or after the word. Example: care* would match care, careful and caretaker, or *care would match care, healthcare or Medicare.
To see all documents available on eDocs for a given language, go to the Advanced Search page, select the desired language(s), leave all of the keyword fields blank and click Search.
To see all documents available on eDocs, select the All languages checkbox, leave all of the keyword fields blank and click Search. Note, however, that this feature is often slow and should be used sparingly.
Using the Advanced Search page to define phrases, exclusions, document formats, etc. will narrow your search results without needing to type special characters.
To get the full functionality of the search engine, your browser should have JavaScript and cookies enabled (which is the default setting in most browsers).
