The following figure illustrates the components and results of record searches and dimension searches.

Record searches

A record search returns records that match all or part of the search term entered by the end user. Record searches are normally performed through a feature known as a search interface. A record search returns:

Dimension searches

A dimension search is performed through a packaged service named dimensionsearch. (Dimension searches are not performed through search interfaces.) A dimension search returns dimension values (but not records) that:

Dimension searches can also be performed through URLs that invoke the dimensionsearch service.

For information about how to configure dimension searches, see Configuring dimension searches .