# The Search Bar
Searching via the free-text search bar is the easiest way to start a search.
You can enter a keyword in the search bar and then use the [Filter function ](/navigating-and-searching/filter-function.md)to narrow down the results. Alternatively, you can enter multiple search terms in the keyword and combine them with [operators](/navigating-and-searching/examples-of-typical-searches/search-functions/the-search-bar/using-operators-in-the-search-bar.md).
Search terms entered freely in the search bar can also be combined with search criteria that are added to the search bar using the [Advanced Search](/navigating-and-searching/examples-of-typical-searches/search-functions/advanced-search.md) function.
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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/the-search-bar.md?ask=
```
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.