---
title: "Mbox Viewer Search Syntax Cheat Sheet"
url: https://mboxviewerpro.com/guides/search-syntax-cheat-sheet/
language: en
updated: 2026-05-21
source: Mbox Viewer
---

[All guides](https://mboxviewerpro.com/guides/)

# Mbox Viewer Search Syntax Cheat Sheet

A complete reference for searching MBOX and EML archives in Mbox Viewer: from:, to:, subject:, body:, date:, has:attachment, size:>, OR, negation, and exact phrases — with copy-ready examples.

PublishedMay 21, 2026

Mbox Viewer’s search bar understands a compact query language modeled on the operators power users already know from Gmail. This cheat sheet covers every operator, how to combine them, and ready-to-use examples you can paste straight into the search field.

## How search works

Type a query into the search bar and Mbox Viewer filters the open archive in real time — even across millions of messages. A bare word like `invoice` matches anywhere in the message. To be precise, add **operators** in the form `field:value`.

-   Operators are **case-insensitive** (`From:` and `from:` are identical).
-   Multiple terms are joined with **AND** by default.
-   There’s no need to re-index between searches; results update as you type.

## Field operators

| Operator | Matches | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `from:` | The sender address or name | `from:alice@example.com` |
| `to:` | A recipient (To field) | `to:team@example.com` |
| `cc:` | A carbon-copy recipient | `cc:manager@example.com` |
| `subject:` | Text in the subject line | `subject:invoice` |
| `body:` | Text in the message body only | `body:"wire transfer"` |
| `date:` | Messages on or around a date | `date:2025-03-14` |
| `has:attachment` | Messages that carry a file | `has:attachment` |
| `size:>` | Messages larger than a size | `size:>10mb` |
| `size:<` | Messages smaller than a size | `size:<100kb` |

## Combining terms

### AND (the default)

Listing terms together requires *all* of them to match.

```
from:alice subject:report has:attachment
```

Finds messages from Alice, with “report” in the subject, that include an attachment.

### OR

Use `OR` (uppercase) to match *either* term.

```
from:alice OR from:bob
```

Returns messages from Alice **or** Bob.

### Negation

Prefix a term with `-` to **exclude** it.

```
subject:invoice -from:noreply@example.com
```

Finds invoice subjects but hides the automated no-reply sender.

### Exact phrases

Wrap words in quotes to match the **exact phrase** in order.

```
subject:"final invoice 2025"
```

Without quotes, the words could appear separately and in any order.

## Working with dates

The `date:` operator accepts ISO-style dates and ranges.

| Goal | Query |
| --- | --- |
| A specific day | `date:2025-03-14` |
| On or after a date | `date:>=2025-01-01` |
| Before a date | `date:<2025-06-01` |
| A range | `date:2025-01-01..2025-03-31` |

## Working with size

Size filters accept `kb`, `mb`, and `gb` suffixes. They’re perfect for finding the heavy messages eating up your archive.

```
has:attachment size:>25mb
```

## Putting it together: practical recipes

| Goal | Query |
| --- | --- |
| Find big invoice attachments | `subject:invoice has:attachment size:>5mb` |
| All mail from two clients last quarter | `(from:acme OR from:globex) date:2025-04-01..2025-06-30` |
| Exact-phrase contract mentions | `body:"master service agreement"` |
| Newsletters to clean out | `from:newsletter -has:attachment` |
| Large messages from anyone | `size:>20mb` |
| A person’s mail, excluding receipts | `from:sam@ -subject:receipt` |

## Tips for faster searching

-   Start broad, then **add operators** to narrow results instead of retyping.
-   Combine search with **export** — filter first, then export the results to CSV or EML.
-   Use quotes whenever word order matters, especially for names and phrases.

## Search any archive, instantly

These operators work the same whether your file is 5 MB or 50 GB. Open your [MBOX](https://mboxviewerpro.com/glossary/mbox/) and start searching.

[Get Mbox Viewer on the Mac App Store →](https://apps.apple.com/app/mbox-viewer-pro/id6759237715)

## Open your archive with Mbox Viewer

Native Mac and Windows app. Streams MBOX and EML files of any size, fully offline.

[Mac App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/mbox-viewer-pro/id6759237715) [Microsoft Store](https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/9NW3GVFG7DDB)