Save and re-run a search strategy in an Ovid database

When you have run a literature search in an Ovid database (eg. Medline or Embase), you can save your search strategy and run it again the next time you login.  This means that you don’t have to re-type the search each time you want to re-run it.  Each time you login and run the search, the results will be updated with any new material added to the database since the last time you logged in.

A. Save your search strategy

1. When you are ready to save your strategy, click on “Save All” (to the left, under the search strategy):

2. You will see the Ovid Personal Account Login screen. If you have an Ovid personal account, login to it at this point.  (If you don’t have an Ovid personal account, click on “Create Account” on the right-hand of the screen):

3. Once you have logged in to your Ovid personal account, you will see a list of saved searches which can be used by anyone who has a personal account. Any searches that you save will appear at the top of this list, and will only be visible to you:

Type in a name for your search (something you would recognise when you come to use it again).  Ovid does not record the date automatically, so we recommend that you type that in as well, eg. using the “Comments” field.

Under “Type”, you can save the search as:

“permanent”, ie. until you choose to delete it

“temporary “ – the search will delete itself after 24 hours

AutoAlert – an automated search – this will run the search regularly and email any new results to your inbox:

Then click on “Save”.  You will see a confirmation that the search has been saved:

You can now continue searching, or log off.

B.  Retrieve and re-run your search strategy

1. Log into your selected Ovid database. Then click on “View saved”:

2.  Login to your Ovid personal account:

3.  The searches you save appear at the top of the list – tick the box next to the one you want to retrieve, then click on “Run”:

Your search will run automatically and the results will be displayed on the main page (scroll down to see them).  Click on “Search history” to display the search strategy: