# Use Advanced Search to Exclude Records from a Search

In some cases, searching by means of exclusion is advantageous. For example, if you are looking for a drawing by a particular artist, but the Census contains primarily paintings by that artist, you can use the **Exclude search** to exclude all paintings by that artist in your search. 

To exclude certain objects in your search, follow these steps:

1. Open the Advanced Search function. 
2. Select the object type from the pull-down menu in the upper left corner. 
3. Enter information about your searched object into the corresponding data fields.
4. Before you close the 'Advanced Search' window, apply the exclusion method to your search. To do this, search for the appropriate data field for the aspect you want to exclude (e.g., **Type** to exclude all paintings). 
5. Click on the three dots at the end of the field and select what you want to exclude (e.g., the **Type** panel painting). 
6. Then activate the exclusion by clicking the icon to the right of the title of the search field. It is activated when it is highlighted in black:

<figure><img src="/files/vVrMo9mX6GRki6skz4Qa" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

7. Proceed by clicking the **Add to Search** button at the bottom right of the window.&#x20;
8. Your search will begin automatically and your search results will be displayed.


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# Agent Instructions: 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:

```
GET https://docs.census.de/navigating-and-searching/examples-of-typical-searches/search-functions/advanced-search/use-advanced-search-to-exclude-records-from-a-search.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
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.