# Admin search syntax: filters, OR, NOT and ranges

> Search the Shopify admin like a developer: field:value filters, OR, NOT, ranges and wildcards for products, orders and customers, saved as a view.

Page: https://lintelagency.com/resources/shopify-tricks/admin-search-syntax

## In short

The search bars on the Shopify admin’s Products, Orders and Customers lists accept the same query syntax as the Admin API: field:value filters such as vendor:Acme or tag:wholesale, OR and NOT (or a leading minus), ranges like created_at:>'2026-01-01' or inventory_total:0, quoted phrases and * wildcards. Combine them, then save the search as a view so the filtered list is one click away for the whole team.

## Facts

- **Syntax:** field:value, OR, NOT / -, :> :< :>= :<=
- **Works in:** Admin lists, Admin API, webhook filters
- **Save as:** A custom view
- **Plan:** Every plan
- **Last checked:** 2 November 2026

## How to use it

1. Open Products, Orders or Customers and click the list’s search bar.
2. Type a filter such as status:draft vendor:Acme; a space between terms means AND.
3. Add OR, NOT, a range (orders_count:>3) or a wildcard (sku:TSHIRT*) as needed; quote dates and phrases.
4. Click Save to keep it as a view; staff see it in the view menu.

## Code

### queries.txt

```text
# Products list (Products > search bar)
vendor:Acme status:draft
inventory_total:0 status:active
tag:summer -tag:sale
sku:TSHIRT*
created_at:>'2026-01-01'
product_type:shoes OR product_type:boots
published_at:*                      has a published date

# Orders list
financial_status:pending fulfillment_status:unfulfilled
tag:wholesale created_at:>='2026-10-01'
discount_code:WELCOME10
test:true                           test orders only
email:name@example.com

# Customers list
tag:VIP orders_count:>3
total_spent:>500 country:DE
accepts_marketing:true -tag:wholesale

# Grammar
field:value      equality (a space between terms means AND)
OR / AND / NOT   connectives, write them in capitals; -term = NOT term
:> :< :>= :<=    ranges; quote dates: created_at:>'2026-01-01'
"two words"      phrase; ( ) groups; * prefix or "field has a value"
```

## Limits and edge cases

- Which fields work depends on the list: the Admin API reference for products, orders and customers lists the supported fields.
- An unknown field is ignored, which returns every result instead of an error; check the count before a bulk action.
- Write OR, AND and NOT in capitals, as Shopify’s search grammar defines them.
- The enhanced search bar on most lists also offers point-and-click filters with is / is not; both end up in the same view.

## Questions

### How do I search for products without a tag in Shopify?

Use -tag:sale or NOT tag:sale in the Products search bar. Combine with other filters, such as status:active -tag:sale.

### How do I find out-of-stock products in the Shopify admin?

Search inventory_total:0 on the Products list, or inventory_total:<5 for low stock.

### Can I search Shopify orders by date range?

Yes: created_at:>='2026-10-01' created_at:<'2026-11-01'. Quote the dates.

### How do I save a search in the Shopify admin?

After searching or filtering, click Save and give the view a name. Managing views works on desktop only.

## Shopify documentation

- [Search query syntax](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/usage/search-syntax)
- [Searching and filtering with views](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/shopify-admin/productivity-tools/searching-filtering-views)
- [products query (filter fields)](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/queries/products)
- [orders query (filter fields)](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/queries/orders)

## Related

- [Shopify admin keyboard shortcuts](https://lintelagency.com/resources/shopify-tricks/admin-keyboard-shortcuts)
- [Bulk editor columns you don’t see by default](https://lintelagency.com/resources/shopify-tricks/bulk-editor-hidden-columns)
- [Add tags to orders, customers or products in bulk](https://lintelagency.com/resources/graphql/bulk-add-tags)
- [Page through results with cursors](https://lintelagency.com/resources/graphql/cursor-pagination)

License: MIT. Free to use in your own store and in client work.