# Query Multi-Select Picklists

You can search for individual values in multi-select picklists, which are regularly used in client applications.

Client applications use a specific syntax for querying multi-select picklists, which allows selection of multiple items . In API version 39.0 and later, query for picklist values by the value’s API name, which can be different from the actual value.

The following operators are supported for querying multi-select picklists:

| Operator   | Description                                                                                                        |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `=`        | Equals the specified string.                                                                                       |
| `!=`       | Does not equal the specified string.                                                                               |
| `includes` | Contains the specified string.                                                                                     |
| `excludes` | Does not contain the specified string.                                                                             |
| `;`        | Specifies AND for two or more strings. Use `;` for multi-select picklists when two or more items must be selected. |

Example `;` operator:

```nolang
'AAA;BBB'
```

## Examples

The following query filters on values in the `MSP1__c` field that are equal to `AAA` and `BBB` selected (exact match):

```soql
SELECT Id, MSP1__c FROM CustObj__c WHERE MSP1__c = 'AAA;BBB'
```

In the following query:

```soql
SELECT Id, MSP1__c from CustObj__c WHERE MSP1__c includes ('AAA;BBB','CCC')
```

the query filters on values in the `MSP1__c` field that contains either of these values:

- `AAA` and `BBB` selected.
- `CCC` selected.

A match will result on any field value that contains 'AAA' and 'BBB' or any field that contains 'CCC'. For example, the following will be matched:

- matches with ' `AAA;BBB`':

```nolang
             'AAA;BBB'
             'AAA;BBB;DDD'
```

- matches with ' `CCC`':

```nolang
             'CCC'
             'CCC;EEE'
                      'AAA;CCC'
```