# Search for Data

### ESS-DIVE Overview

The ESS-DIVE main data portal (Figure 1) is made up of three sections - a search bar on the left, a dataset listing in the middle, and a map on the right.

By default, you will see all public datasets on ESS-DIVE. If you wish to view your unpublished datasets or download data, click on the “Sign in with Orcid” button in the top right corner and login with your ORCID credentials.

![Figure 1. ESS-DIVE's main data portal](/files/-Mj1PEs0NrU67_K5Us51)

Previews of each dataset listed include citations in the format: **Authors (Publication Date): Dataset Title. Project. DOI or ESS-DIVE ID** (Figure 2).

![Figure 2. ESS-DIVE dataset previews with citations](/files/-Mdcs_V6Q7oJqFIKZu3p)

There are various symbols that appear beneath the data citation (not all of them appear on all the datasets):

| Icon                                                                                          | Meaning                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| <p><img src="/files/-LgZxP1uncN1B2yaGug8" alt=""></p><p>Orange lock</p>                       | The record is unpublished, and only visible to you when you are logged in with your ORCID account. If the lock is not visible, the dataset is public and can be viewed and downloaded by anyone. |
| <p><img src="/files/-Mdct3jBZomOZOf1cdG-" alt="" data-size="line"></p><p>Number with eye </p> | This refers to the number of times this dataset has been viewed.                                                                                                                                 |
| <p><img src="/files/-LgZxP1xh8IXHEQSq4oF" alt=""></p><p>i in circle     (Info) </p>           | Displays a preview of the dataset abstract.                                                                                                                                                      |
| <p><img src="/files/-LgZxP1y5YCHY0EH8Fs8" alt=""></p><p>Paper with table (Files) </p>         | Indicates whether there are any data files associated with the dataset. If this icon is not visible, it means only metadata are available for the dataset.                                       |
| <p><img src="/files/-LgZxP1zXu_FE76Z2xPt" alt=""></p><p>Map marker</p>                        | Refers to how many other datasets are associated with that location. Hovering over this icon will highlight the corresponding location on the map.                                               |

You can choose to hide Map by clicking on the Hide Map link (Figure 3), which will allow you to view more listings on your web page (Figure 4).

<div align="center"><img src="/files/-LgZxP2-HRAQlmNusXzX" alt="Figure 3. The link to hide the map."></div>

![Figure 4. View of the home page without the map](/files/-Mj1PcBIK_1y5hUdfY76)

### Data Search Tools

You can search for data using the options in the left sidebar (Figure 6). It will allow you to do a generic search for dataset attributes. (e.g. Title, keyword, PI name). You can also refine the search by using more specific fields - identifier (e.g. DOI), location, creator (authors), and year (publication year or date range spanned in the dataset).

![Figure 5. Expanded Search options](/files/-LgZxP224FLXxgYAivEh)


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# 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://docs.ess-dive.lbl.gov/searching-and-accessing-data/data-access.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.