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Michigan State University

SciFinder Guide

Getting Started

The Chemical Abstract Service (CAS), producer of SciFinder, provides many training and troubleshooting guides on their website.  Choose the format that works best for you! How-To Guides (PDF Format) and more.


Quick overviews of basic functionality including:

  • Different types of searching (by topic, author, substance, etc.)
  • Refining & Analyzing your answer set
  • Exporting your answers
  • Linking to full text
  • ...and more!

SciFinder Tutorials (Videos & Webcasts)

Covers many of the basics shown above, but in 7-15 minute videos (some longer).

See also:  Synthetic Chemistry (see this 4-minute video)

    Other help

    Tips from the Experts - Article by A. Ben Wagner published inIssues in Science & Technology Libraries regarding search strategies for salts, alloys, and other inorganic compounds (with the exception of organometallics.)