Advanced Search

Use the Advanced Search to locate companies matching criteria you establish. Define your query parameters using fields in Best’s Financial Suite. Criteria can contain fields from multiple databases. View the Advanced Search results as a temporary -Search Results- list or save the criteria as a dynamic company list. Use the temporary company list or saved criteria list in any BestLink for Excel reporting feature.

 Important:

• Coming Soon: Advanced Search for Investment and Reinsurance data.

• Databases report dollar values as ($000) omitted.

Access Advanced Search from the Search Companies group button.

• Create Criteria:

1. Select a Field.

1. Perform one of the following options:

• From the Field Lists/Saved Queries panel, select a field list from Custom Lists, Statement, Standard Lists, or QAR tab. Tab availability is determined by product subscription. Use the Expand and Collapse buttons in the Tools section to assist in locating the desired field list.
  The fields within the selected list display in the Fields section.

or

• Search for fields using Locate Fields Using Statement Page, Column & Line or Field Name Search in the Tools section.
  The fields matching the search performed are display in the Fields section.

2. Select the desired field for query within the Fields section. Use the Find Field or alphabetize feature to assist in locating fields.
   The selected field populates in the Criteria section. The long field name and additional field information display.

2. Optional: Select the Population for the query.

Limit the query results to a specific population of companies. Not all options are available for all databases.

1. Select the Population text link. The Population Aggregation window displays.

2. Set the population options.

• Select the Aggregation(s) you wish to search.

• Select a saved company list from Custom Company Lists drop-down list or a shared company list from Shared Company Lists drop-down list. The financial search results are limited to the companies within the Custom Company List or Shared Company List selected.  

3. Click the OK button.

3. Create Criteria.

   1. Select your query parameters in the Criteria section. The selected field determines the available options for creating criteria.

      • Financial Data Field

        1.  Determine if you wish to perform a Numeric Operator or a Top query.

        • Select the operator from the Search Operator drop-down list. Type the value in the Search Value text field.

        or

        • Select the number of companies from the Top drop-down list.

        2.  Select the Data Period from the drop-down list.  

        3.  Select the Currency for your query, if necessary. (Best's Statement File - Global)
        Set a default Currency selection on the Currency tab in User Preferences.

        4.  Select individual states/lines or select a previously saved summation, as required. (Best's State/Line and Best's IEE)

      • Text Field

        1.  Select the operator from the Search Operator drop-down list.

        2.  Type the search text in the Search Value text field.

      • Date Field

        1.  Select the operator from the Search Operator drop-down list.

        2.  Select the appropriate date using the calendar.  

      • Pick List Field

        1.  Choose the appropriate selection from the list box.  

2. Click the Add button. The criterion is added to the Summary section.

3. If performing a multiple line query, select a logical Connection before adding additional lines.

• And - Companies returned must match all criteria.

• Or - Companies returned must match at least one criterion.

• Minus - Results are filtered to not include companies matching the criterion from the previously entered criteria.

4. Repeat all steps above until all desired field parameters are added.

• Use Search Fields in Custom Report:

When accessing Advanced Search from the Select Companies step in Custom Report Wizard, you can choose to automatically add the search fields to the Select Fields step in the Custom Report Wizard. Use the Advanced Search Options on the Company Searches tab in User Preferences to automatically select this option.

1. Select the Add the fields from this search to my custom report checkbox option, if necessary.

• View Results:

1. Click the View Results button.

The Search Results page displays all companies matching the search performed.

The companies are placed in a temporary list called -Search Results- within Custom Lists. -Search Results- list is available for selection with BestLink for Excel reporting features.

• Edit Criteria:

The following options are available to assist in editing a financial search:

• Remove deletes the selected line from the query.

• Edit modifies the selected line's components.

• Cancel Edit returns the criterion to its original state.

• Save Edit updates the criterion.

• Clear removes all criterion from the Summary section.

• Save the Criteria:

Save the search criteria for future use.

1. Click the Save button to save the criteria. The Save Custom Criteria List window opens.

2. Type a name in the Enter name for the custom list text box.

3. Click the Save button to apply. The Advanced Search activates.  

The criteria is saved within the Criteria List. The list is available for selection with BestLink for Excel reporting features. When the saved criteria is selected, the query is dynamically updated with the correct company counts.

• Select a Saved Criteria:

Retrieve a saved criteria.

1. Select the previously created criteria list from Criteria Lists on the Custom Lists tab. The saved criteria list populates in the Summary section.

2. Modify the criteria as necessary.

3. Save the criteria or view the result.