Perushakukenttä

Perushakukenttä (Finnish: perushakukenttä) is a user interface element that provides a single-line text input for performing basic search queries within a digital system, such as a website, database, or application. It is designed for straightforward keyword-based searches and typically contrasts with advanced search interfaces that expose multiple fields, operators, and filters.

A perushakukenttä usually shows a text field with a placeholder such as Hae, or similar, and is activated by pressing Enter or clicking a search button often represented by a magnifying glass. In many implementations it offers lightweight features such as recent-search suggestions or basic autocomplete. The field accepts free-form text and does not require the user to specify specific criteria.

In use, it enables quick access to results without constructing complex queries. It is common in the header of sites, on home pages, or on search pages where speed and simplicity are priorities. While convenient, perushakukenttä has limited power for precise filtering; for more complex queries, users are directed to an advanced search interface that provides separate fields for attributes like author, date, or category.

From an accessibility standpoint the perushakukenttä should be properly labeled for screen readers and usable with a keyboard alone. The term stems from Finnish: perus meaning basic, haku meaning search, and kenttä meaning field, and is used in UI design to describe the basic search input.