# Search Optional

## Description

Search optional selectors recursively search all the data below the current node and return all of the results.

This differs from search in that the query does not fail when the field you filter on does not exist.

{% hint style="info" %}
Available since `v1.26.0.`
{% endhint %}

## Usage

{% hint style="info" %}
This must be used in conjunction with the `-m`, `--multiple` flag.
{% endhint %}

```shell
.(#:<key>=<value>)
```

### Key

The key defines which property/selector we should use to extract a value.

If `<key>` is:

* `.` or `value` - dasel checks if the current nodes value is `<value>`.
* `-` or `keyValue` - dasel checks if the key/name/index of the current node is `<value>`.
* Else dasel uses the key as a selector itself and compares the result against `<value>`.

### Value

The value is the expected value for the check to pass.

Note that dasel will stringy values prior to checking if they match.

### Comparisons

Dasel supports the following comparison operators:

| Operator | Supported since |
| -------- | --------------- |
| `=`      | `v1.6.0`        |
| `!=`     | `v1.17.0`       |

## Example

{% code title="input.json" %}

```json
{
  "users": [
    {
      "primary": true,
      "name": {
        "first": "Tom",
        "last": "Wright"
      }
    },
    {
      "primary": false,
      "name": {
        "first": "Jim",
        "last": "Wright"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": {
        "first": "Frank",
        "last": "Wright"
      }
    }
  ]
}
```

{% endcode %}

### Search by optional property

```shell
$ dasel select -f input.json -m '.users.(#:primary=true).name.first'
"Tom"
```


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://daseldocs.tomwright.me/v1/selectors/search-1.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.