Stacks can be configured to search a variety of sources, using the EBSCO Discovery Service, external catalogs, multi-search (Bento), and internal website searches. This article will explain how to configure the search experience your users/patrons will see when using the primary search bar.
Before starting, depending on the search(es) you plan to enable, you may need to first enable/configure the appropriate search, for more information please see Integrations section of the user guide for more information on EDS, search integrations, and outbound searches.
Configuring the Search Settings
Here, users with the Administrator role can configure the setting associated with the appearance and functionality of the search bar.
- From the Dashboard, click the Search Configuration tile
- Click the Settings tile
- Check the Enabled box beside each of the available search options you wish to display
- Click and drag the 4-way arrow icon beside the enable box to re-order the list as needed, this will be the order in which users see the search options on your site
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Default Search on Form, select which search option will be the default search
- Users will still be able to select other search methods as needed
- Note: take caution when selecting, as this field will list all search options, including those not enabled as described above
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Style, select the style in which you wish to display the search options, choose from:
- Horizontal tabs
- If selected, additional styling options are available for configuring the appearance of these tabs via the Style Editor
- Dropdown
- Radios
- Horizontal tabs
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Limiter Style, select the format used to select limiters (if applicable), choose from:
- Dropdown (this is the default option)
- Radios
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Results per Page, set the maximum number of results to be displayed per page
- Page numbers, Next, and Last options will appear at the bottom of the page to navigate between the page(s) of results
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Authors Display Limit, set the number of authors to be displayed in the results
- When a search result value is clicked, the full list of authors, if there is more than this limit is set to, will be displayed
- Show Embed Button, check this box to add an Embed button to the search form, this will allow users to copy a snippet of code to embed the search form on an external site
- Click Save All Changes, to save the search settings configuration
Additional Settings
Additional options from here allow you to change the search label users/patrons see when selecting their desired search, as well as enable the Bento feature and tooltips.
Search Labels
If needed, you can edit the label displayed for the search, to do so:
- Scroll to the search type, click the Edit button
- Edit the label as needed
- Click Save
Enable Bento
If you plan to use the Bento feature, you will need to first enable the Bento setting prior to creating a bento page. Also, if you have multiple bento pages you can enable a page drop-down selector (after the pages have been created).
- Scroll to the search type, click the Edit button
- Show Search Page Dropdown, check this box to enable a drop-down which will allow users/patrons to select from different bento pages (if you have created more than one)
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Enable Bento, check this box to enable the bento feature
- This box must be checked prior to creating bento pages, as it will allow you to select the different custom bentos you configure to be added to a page
- Click Save
Enable Tooltips
A tool tip will display a short message to the user/patron when hovering over the search type that has it added. This can be used to provide assistance or guidance on the search option.
- Scroll to the search type, click the Edit button
- Enter a short description in the Tooltip Text field
- Click Save