# Search & filter

## Data Catalog

The Data Midsouth catalog is **searchable** and **filterable**. Whether you know exactly what you're looking for or are exploring a topic area, there are a few ways to **narrow down** results quickly.

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All **data assets** are **represented** in the center of the page **as cards in a catalog**.&#x20;

Assets are **sorted alphabetically by title by default**. Use the "Sort by" dropdown, located just below the catalog search bar, to change sorting behavior.&#x20;

#### Use the **search bar** or **filter pane** to narrow results before you start browsing.&#x20;

#### **Search bar**

Searches across all asset **titles, descriptions, keywords,** and metadata.&#x20;

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{% hint style="warning" %}
If a search comes up empty, try a broader or different keyword. Data assets are named by source, not always by the way you describe a topic. For example, 'eviction' will return more results than 'housing court.'
{% endhint %}

#### **Filter pane**

The **filter pane** on the left side of the catalog allows you to **narrow down results.**

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#### Browsing by category

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{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Select a category

Click one of the category buttons at the top of the catalog page: Visualizations, Data, Mega Data, or Reports.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Review results

The catalog will **update** to show assets of **that type only**. Each **asset card** has an **icon** in the top left showing what kind of category it is.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Return to full catalog

Select "Clear filters"

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{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

#### **Available filters**

* **Category** - the type of data asset  ([data-asset-types](https://help.datamidsouth.org/data-midsouth-portal/features/data-asset-types "mention") )
* **Theme** - The broad topic area the asset covers — such as Housing, Health, Education, Economic Development, or Public Safety.
  * *A good starting point if you're exploring a subject rather than searching for something specific.*
* **Creator** - The organization that produced or published the data. This could be a local agency (like the Shelby County General Sessions Court), a national source (like the U.S. Census Bureau), or the Data Midsouth team at Innovate Memphis.
* **Access Type** - Whether the asset is hosted directly on the DMS portal or on an external website
* **Geographic level** - The geographic unit the data is organized by — for example, parcel, address, census tract, zip code, city council district, or county.&#x20;
  * *Use this filter when you need data at a specific level of geography for mapping or analysis.*
* **Years Available** - The time range the dataset covers.&#x20;
  * *Useful when you need data from a specific period — for example, eviction filings from 2020 onward, or census estimates from a particular survey year.*
* **Update Frequency** - How often the data is refreshed — monthly, annually, or as a static one-time snapshot.&#x20;
  * *Check this before using data in time-sensitive work.*
* **Data Export Format** - The file formats available for download, such as CSV, XLSX, GeoJSON, Shapefile, or JSON.&#x20;
  * *Filter by format if your tools require a specific file type. Visit* [downloads-and-formats](https://help.datamidsouth.org/data-midsouth-portal/features/downloads-and-formats "mention") *for more information.*
* **Keywords** - Tags assigned to assets that describe their content in more detail than the Theme or Category alone.&#x20;
* **Showcase** - Flags assets that the Data Midsouth team has highlighted as particularly useful, well-documented, or relevant to current community priorities.&#x20;
  * *A good place to start if you're new to the portal and not sure what to explore first.*
* **Modification Date** - The date the asset was last updated in the portal.&#x20;
  * *Use this to find recently added or refreshed assets, or to confirm that a dataset you've used before has been updated since you last downloaded it.*

Whenever you apply a filter, it will also **update the counts** for all other filters in the lefthand pane that meet the selected criteria.

***

## Filtering & Analyzing Datasets

Similar to the DMS Catalog page, the "Explore Data" feature includes a **Filter Pane** and **Search bar** on the left.&#x20;

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To **download** a filtered dataset, visit [downloads-and-formats](https://help.datamidsouth.org/data-midsouth-portal/features/downloads-and-formats "mention").&#x20;

To **share** a filtered dataset, copy & paste, and then **send the the link** from your browser. The table will load with your custom filter choices applied. For more details, see [saving-and-sharing](https://help.datamidsouth.org/data-midsouth-portal/features/saving-and-sharing "mention").

{% hint style="danger" %}
If the data you want doesn't exist in the catalog, submit a request at [feedback.datamidsouth.org](https://feedback.datamidsouth.org/). Our team reviews all requests and prioritizes our work based on community need.
{% endhint %}