How to Search and Filter Contacts

Pulsar's powerful search and filter tools help you quickly find specific contacts or build targeted lists for outreach. Learn how to use basic search, advanced filters, and saved views.

The Contacts page with search bar and filter panel

Quick Search

The search bar at the top of the Contacts page finds matches across multiple fields:

Basic Search

Type any of the following in the search bar:

• First or last name

• Email address

• Phone number

• Street address

Results update instantly as you type.

Search Tips

Use quotes for exact matches: "John Smith". Search partial phone numbers: 555-123.

Using Filters

Filters let you narrow down contacts by specific criteria:

Open Filter Panel

Click Filters next to the search bar to reveal filter options.

Select Filter Criteria

Common filters include:

• Tags - Filter by one or more tags

• Support Level - Filter by supporter rating (1-5)

• Party - Filter by party affiliation

• City/ZIP - Filter by location

• Has Email/Phone - Filter by available contact methods

• Volunteer - Show only volunteers

• Donor - Show only donors

Apply multiple filters to narrow your contact list

Combine Multiple Filters

Add multiple filters to narrow results further. Filters work with AND logic - contacts must match ALL selected criteria.

Clear Filters

Click Clear All to reset all filters and see your complete contact list.

Saved Views

Save frequently used filter combinations as views for quick access:

Create a Saved View

Apply your filters, then click Save View. Give your view a descriptive name like "Strong Supporters in District 5" or "Volunteers with Email".

Access Saved Views

Your saved views appear in the dropdown next to the search bar. Click any view to instantly apply those filters.

Team Views

Saved views are shared with your entire team. Anyone with access to contacts can use views you create.

Advanced Search

For complex queries, use advanced search operators:

Operator

Example

Description

AND

volunteer AND donor

Both conditions must match

OR

Oakland OR Berkeley

Either condition matches

NOT

supporter NOT contacted

Exclude matching results

Access saved views for quick filter combinations

Troubleshooting

Search returns no results

Check for typos and try partial matches. Also verify your filters aren't too restrictive.

Can't find a contact I just added

New imports may take a few moments to appear. Refresh the page or wait a minute.

Next Steps

• Organize Contacts with Tags

• Perform Bulk Operations

• Export Your Contacts