Search
The search box at the top of the page allows you to search for links in the EBS Portal.
Using the Search Box
Searches can include words found in the link title, subtitle or keywords associated with the link. (For example, "personal" "profile" and "address" will all find the Personal Profile link). Do not use special characters such as the plus sign (+), quotation marks (""), etc. The search box is not case-sensitive and words must be spelled correctly to be found.
Toggling the Search Box
Clicking the Search (spy glass) will toggle the search box open and closed when no words have been typed into it.
Search Suggestions
As you type, the search will suggest links. You can click on these suggestions.
What the Search Box Doesn't Do
The search box only searches for links in the EBS Portal. It doesn't search for items you would find through those links, like catalog entries (e.g. "batteries"), employees or organizations, funding information, etc. Nor does it search help documents, but those are available from the help icon at the top of each page.
Search Results
After typing your search word(s), hitting the enter key or clicking the Search icon will complete the search and go to a search results page.
From the search results page, the links can be clicked, the search refined, etc. The search results page shows a limited number of links. Clicking "Show More Apps" will show all links.
Searching for Information: An Analogy
Think of navigating through the EBS Portal like finding information in your local library.
- Library = Portal. Entering the portal is like going to the library.
- Bookshelf = System. The card catalog (EBS Portal) will direct you to the proper bookshelf (a system like Finance, BI, etc.).
- Book = Link/Transaction. Once at the bookshelf/system, you then locate the book (a link or application, like “Earnings Statements” or “Disbursement Voucher”).
- Page = Record. Having located the book/link, you find the proper page (a record, like “December” or “MSXX987654”).
- Detail = Then from that page/record you will find the information you need.
At each step of the way, a search feature often exists that can help find the next step.
[Note, that the portal is part of the HR/Payroll System, so you don’t need to find the bookshelf of HR/Payroll transactions; they are right inside the door as soon as you enter.]
Common error: Searching for items that are not available in the EBS Portal, like “Linen Services.”
If an item cannot be managed through the various systems linked from the EBS Portal, then it won’t be found through the search feature at any level, either. Start your search at msu.edu.
Common error: Searching for a record from the portal itself, such as a department (e.g. “Human Resources”), person (e.g. “Sally Spartan”), course (e.g. “Beginning D2L”) or catalog entry (e.g. “diapers”).
To find a particular record, you need to first navigate your way into the proper transaction using keywords like “purchase” or “take a class.”
Common error: Searching for a complete sentence, like “How do I….”
A few simple words or title of the transaction will get you to the transaction without “How do I.”
Common error: Searching for help documentation “pop-up blocker” or “reset password”
In the EBS Portal and on all pages of the HR/Payroll System, there is a link to the hr.msu.edu/ebshelp website.
Other Search Errors to Avoid
Common error: Misspellings
Be careful to spell carefully since the search feature does not guess at what a misspelling might mean.
Common error: Use of “*” as wild card and punctuation in general.
The use of punctuation and symbols can limit your search results and it is not recommended.
Also Notable, the search in the portal is NOT case-sensitive, so your search for SPARTAN and Spartan and Spartan should yield the same results.
