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How to use advanced search operators on Trello

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18
Quick Answer

Advanced search operators in Trello use specific syntax to filter cards by criteria like member, label, due date, and board. Use operators like @member, #label, due:day, and board:name to create precise searches. Combine multiple operators with spaces to narrow results further.

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Prerequisites

  • Active Trello account
  • Basic familiarity with Trello boards and cards
  • Understanding of search basics
  • Knowledge of board and card structure

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Access Trello Search

Click the Search icon in the top navigation bar or press Ctrl+F (Windows) or Cmd+F (Mac). The search box will appear at the top of your screen with a placeholder showing Search cards, members, and more...
You can also click directly in the search field that appears on most Trello pages.
2

Use Member Search Operators

Search for cards assigned to specific members using the @ operator. Type @username or @me for your own cards. For example:
  • @johndoe - finds cards assigned to johndoe
  • @me - finds cards assigned to you
  • -@me - finds cards NOT assigned to you
Use -@ to exclude specific members from search results.
3

Filter by Labels and Colors

Use the # operator to search by labels. Type #labelname for specific labels or #color for label colors:
  • #urgent - finds cards with 'urgent' label
  • #red - finds cards with red labels
  • -#green - excludes cards with green labels
You can also use has:label to find any cards with labels.
Combine multiple label searches like #red #urgent to find cards with both labels.
4

Search by Due Dates

Use due: operator to filter cards by due dates:
  • due:day - due today
  • due:week - due this week
  • due:month - due this month
  • due:overdue - overdue cards
  • due:complete - completed cards with due dates
Use due:incomplete to find unfinished cards with due dates.
5

Filter by Board and List

Narrow searches to specific boards or lists using:
  • board:boardname - search within specific board
  • list:listname - search within specific list
  • board:mine - search only your boards
For example: board:"Marketing Campaign" @me finds your cards in the Marketing Campaign board.
Use quotes around board or list names that contain spaces.
6

Use Content and Status Operators

Search card content and status with these operators:
  • has:attachments - cards with attachments
  • has:description - cards with descriptions
  • has:checklist - cards with checklists
  • is:archived - archived cards
  • is:open - open/active cards
Combine has: operators like has:attachments has:checklist to find cards with multiple features.
7

Combine Multiple Operators

Create complex searches by combining operators with spaces. Each operator acts as an AND condition:
@me due:week #priority board:"Project Alpha"
This finds cards assigned to you, due this week, with priority label, in Project Alpha board. Use parentheses for OR conditions: (#red OR #urgent) @me
Start with broad searches and add operators to narrow results gradually.
8

Save and Reuse Advanced Searches

After creating an advanced search, click the Save Search button that appears below the search results. Name your saved search and it will appear in the Recent dropdown for quick access. You can also bookmark the search URL to reuse complex queries.
Save frequently used searches like daily task reviews or weekly due date checks.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Search operators not working or showing unexpected results

Ensure you're using the correct syntax with colons (:) and no spaces around operators. Check that board and member names are spelled correctly, and use quotes around names with spaces.

Can't find cards that should match the search criteria

Verify you have access to the boards containing those cards. Private boards and cards from teams you're not a member of won't appear in search results. Also check if cards are archived using is:archived.

Date-based searches returning too many or too few results

Remember that Trello's date operators are relative to the current date. due:week means the current week, not the next 7 days. Use specific date ranges or check your timezone settings if results seem off.

Saved searches not appearing or working incorrectly

Clear your browser cache and cookies for Trello. If the issue persists, recreate the saved search as the syntax may have changed. Ensure you're logged into the same account that created the saved search.

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