What's the difference between a "nested/sub query" and an "additional query"?

What is a nested/sub query in a search?

Below is an example of a nested/sub query. To add this, click Advanced options > Add nested/sub query.

NOTE: There are no search criteria being shown. The nested/sub query is boxed in red.

What is an additional query in a search?

Below is an example of an additional query. To add this, click Advanced options > Add additional query.

NOTE: There are no specific search criteria being shown. The additional query is boxed in red.

What is the difference between them?

Nested queries allow you to search for:

(this or that) AND the other

In the above search, “that” would be a nested query, and you would get results that match either "this" or "that". That combined result set is then restricted by any data matching “other”.

If instead you were to search without nesting, using additional queries:

this OR that AND the other

...where all search criteria are in the same query, the results would be unreliable because “or that” would not be restricted by "the other".

For this reason, we recommend using nested queries when you want to evaluate results together, in combination with another query.

Common example where a nested query should be used

In this example, the query “Anyone who is a current parent” should be nested.

Example

Anyone who donated last year

Anyone who is a current parent

AND NOT

Anyone who has donated this year