where Search Operator

The where operator allows you to filter results based on a boolean expression.

For example, using where with the boolean operator isValidIP:

• Filters as true and returns results:

  | where isValidIP("192.168.0.10")
• Filters as false and will not return results:

  | where !isValidIP("192.168.0.10")

The where operator must appear as a separate operator distinct from other operators, delimited by the pipe symbol (|). In other words, the following construct will not work and will generate a syntax error:

This query will NOT work:

...| parse "seconds=*;" as time where > 5

Instead, separate the where operator from the preceding parse operator like this:

...| parse "seconds=*;" as time  | where time\> 5

Syntax

... | where <boolean expression> | ...

Rules

• The pipe delimiter is required to separate the where operator as a distinct query operator.
• The where operator can't be used inline as a query clause, like "... | extract a where b==something |..."
• You must use the matches syntax with the where operator when using wildcards *.
• Multiple where operators are processed in the order they are specified, with each subsequent where operator further filtering results.
• Keyword expressions can be used in the boolean expression, such as OR and AND.
• If defining a built-in metadata field value in the boolean expression you need to quote the value. If it is not wrapped in quotes the value is interpreted as a field name.
• If you're using in or not in to match integers, cast "x" to a number first.
• The matches operator can be used in the boolean expression. You can use an RE2 compliant regular expression or use asterisks * as wildcards.
• Any operator that returns a boolean value can be used in the boolean expression, such as compareCIDRPrefix, contains, in, isBlank, isEmpty, isNull, isNumeric, isPrivateIP, isPublicIP, isValidIP, and math expressions.

note

Use comparison operators to produce boolean values.

Example

... | where a<b

... | where a=x

... | where a>=x

... | where a<=x

... | where a<x

... | where x<10

... | where (x >=10 and x <=20)

... | where x="some string"

... | where _sourceCategory="xyz"

... | where user<>"root"

... | where x matches "some string"

... | where x matches "fail*"

... | where x matches /regex/

... | where !(x matches /regex/)

... | num(x) | where x in (4, 3, 5)

... | where x in ("error", "fail")

... | where x not in ("error", "fail")

... | where x matches "Android" or x matches "iPhone" or x matches "iPad"

Using the "not" option

If you need a query using the where operator, where xxx DOES NOT match yyy, use "!" followed by the matches operator enclosed in parenthesis.

For example:

...| where !(<field xxx> matches "<value yyy>") | ...

or:

...| where !(status matches "200")

Use where to check for null values

For details, see the isNull operator.