> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.stepsai.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Search in AIDE

> Master the art of searching and finding information in Steps AI

## What Is AIDE Search?

AIDE search is your intelligent gateway to finding information across all your connected data sources. Unlike traditional search engines, AIDE understands context, relationships, and natural language, making it easier to find exactly what you need from your emails, documents, conversations, and files.

<Info>
  **Why AIDE Search?** AIDE combines information from multiple sources, understands your intent, and provides contextual results that traditional search tools can't match.
</Info>

## How to Search in AIDE

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Chat Interface" icon="message-circle">
    Navigate to the chat interface in your Steps AI workspace
  </Step>

  <Step title="Formulate Your Query" icon="search">
    Ask your question in natural language, being as specific as possible about what you're looking for
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Data Sources" icon="layers">
    Choose which connected data sources to search through, or let AIDE search all sources automatically
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Results" icon="eye">
    Review the intelligent responses and follow up with more specific questions if needed
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Search Capabilities

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Natural Language" icon="message-square">
    Ask questions in everyday language instead of using keywords or complex search syntax
  </Card>

  <Card title="Cross-Platform Search" icon="globe">
    Search across multiple data sources simultaneously (Gmail, Slack, Google Drive, etc.)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Context Understanding" icon="brain">
    AIDE understands relationships between topics and provides contextual results
  </Card>

  <Card title="Real-Time Information" icon="zap">
    Access current information from the web combined with your internal data
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  **Ask Follow-up Questions**: Use the conversation to refine your search and get more detailed information
</Tip>

## Search Troubleshooting

| Issue                   | Solution                                                                       |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **No Results Found**    | Try rephrasing your question or check if the data source is properly connected |
| **Irrelevant Results**  | Be more specific in your query and provide additional context                  |
| **Slow Search**         | Check your internet connection and ensure data sources are synced              |
| **Missing Information** | Verify that the data source contains the information you're looking for        |

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How does AIDE understand my search intent?">
    AIDE uses advanced natural language processing to understand the context and meaning behind your questions, not just keywords. It considers relationships between concepts and your conversation history.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I search across multiple data sources at once?">
    Yes! AIDE can search across all your connected data sources simultaneously, providing unified results that combine information from emails, documents, conversations, and more.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How accurate are the search results?">
    AIDE provides highly accurate results by understanding context and relationships. It ranks results by relevance and can explain why certain information was included.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I search for information from a specific time period?">
    Absolutely! You can specify time periods in your queries like "emails from last week" or "documents from Q3" to get time-relevant results.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if I can't find what I'm looking for?">
    Try rephrasing your question, adding more context, or asking follow-up questions. AIDE can help you refine your search to find the right information.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does AIDE search through file contents?">
    Yes! AIDE can search within document contents, not just file names. It can find information buried deep within spreadsheets, presentations, and other documents.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  **Important**: Make sure your data sources are properly connected and synced for the best search results.
</Warning>

<CardGroup cols={1}>
  <Card title="Explore Advanced Features" icon="settings" href="/chat-features/chat-sources">
    Learn about multi-source chat, conversation history, and advanced search capabilities
  </Card>
</CardGroup>