> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/usage/faq/definitions/what-is-fuzziness.md). # What is fuzziness? ### As a search operator In the main search bar, you can write a query with the search operator tilde (\~) with a number, at the end of each word of your query. You can set fuzziness to 1 or 2. It corresponds to the maximum number of operations (insertions, deletions, substitutions and transpositions) on **characters** needed to make one **term** match the other. > kitten -> sitten (1 substitution (k turned into s) = fuzziness is 1) > kitten -> sittin (2 substitutions (k turned into s and e turned into i) = fuzziness is 2) If you search for similar terms (**to catch typos for example**), use fuzziness. Use the [tilde symbol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilde) at the end of the word to set the fuzziness to 1 or 2. "*The default edit distance is 2, but an edit distance of 1 should be sufficient to catch 80% of all human misspellings. It can be specified as: quikc\~1*" (source: [Elastic](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/7.0/query-dsl-query-string-query.html#_fuzziness)). > Example: quikc\~ brwn\~ foks\~ (as the default edit distance is 2, this query will catch all quick, quack, quock, uqikc, etc. as well as brown, folks, etc.) > > Example: Datashare\~1 (this query will catch Datasahre, Dqtashare, etc.) ### In batch searches When you run a [batch search](/datashare/usage/batch-search-documents.md), you can set the fuzziness to 0, 1 or 2. It is the same as explained above, it will apply to each word in a query and corresponds to the maximum number of operations (insertions, deletions, substitutions and transpositions) on **characters** needed to make one **term** match the other. > kitten -> sitten (1 substitution (k turned into s) = fuzziness is 1) > kitten -> sittin (2 substitutions (k turned into s and e turned into i) = fuzziness is 2) If you search for similar terms (**to catch typos for example**), use fuzziness. Use the [tilde symbol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilde) at the end of the word to set the fuzziness to 1 or 2. "*The default edit distance is 2, but an edit distance of 1 should be sufficient to catch 80% of all human misspellings. It can be specified as: quikc\~1*" (source: [Elastic](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/7.0/query-dsl-query-string-query.html#_fuzziness)). > Example: quikc\~ brwn\~ foks\~ (as the default edit distance is 2, this query will catch all quick, quack, quock, uqikc, etc. as well as brown, folks, etc.) > > Example: Datashare\~1 (this query will catch Datasahre, Dqtashare, etc.) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/usage/faq/definitions/what-is-fuzziness.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.