How to add a new item search field

Item search before the custom field

It is possible to complete an item specific search by going to the Item search module in Koha.

This page includes a section where different search facets can be defined through a dropdown menu.

It is possible to add additional fields to this dropdown menu to create custom search options.

Adding a new custom field

Go to Koha administration > Catalog > Item search fields

This will open a new page where the new search field can be created.

Click +New Search field

This will open a new page where details of the new search field can be entered.

Name

This field contains the overall name of the newly created search field. This name will not appear in the dropdown menu under Item search.

Label

This is the name of the field which will appear in the dropdown menu on the Item search.

MARC field

This is a dropdown menu where the overall MARC field to be searched can be selected.

MARC subfield

This is an optional field that defines the specific subfield that should be searched.

Authorised values category

This is an option field that links the search field with an already existing authorised value. If this option is filled in then the search will work as a dropdown menu of options, rather than a free text box where a search term can be entered.

Once these fields are filled in, click Submit. 

The newly created field will appear in a table. 

The item search after the new field has been added

Version	Date	Detail	Author
1.0	29/07/22	Document created	Holly Cooper

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