Experience the full power of SciFinder^®. CAS offers instructor-led and on-demand training to help you build your search skills.

Resources related to frequently used SciFinder search techniques and topics are organized on this page according to search type. New searchers may find those marked with an asterisk(*) especially helpful.

Please check the Training & Events Calendar for details on upcoming instructor-led training.

Note: A new, streamlined design to SciFinder was launched in June. Get a general overview and orientation to the new interface with these introductory training materials:

Substance Searching

From properties to patentability, find more information about more substances than in any other single source.              

• How to Create a Substance Answer Set (PDF)*
• How to Work with Substance Answer Sets (PDF)*
• Introduction to the SciFinder Drawing Editor (tutorial)*
• Customize the SciFinder Drawing Editor (tutorial)
• How to Find Commercial Sources (PDF)

Search Substances - Virtual Class recordings*

• Part 1 (Search by Substance Identifier. Find property data and commercial suppliers.)
• Part 2 (Conduct an Exact search. Refine. Find preparation information. Create an alert.)
• Part 3 (Conduct a Substructure search. Analyze and Refine search results.)
• Workbook for Parts 1-3 (PDF)
• Exercises for Parts 1-3 (PDF)
• Download structure file for exercises  
• Slide deck for instructors (PDF)
• Speaker notes for instructors (PDF)
      

Reaction Searching

Learn how SciFinder's unique tools and world-leading reaction content help you make better decisions faster.  

• How to Create a Reaction Answer Set (PDF)*
• How to Work with Reaction Answer Sets (PDF)*
• Draw Reactions (tutorial)*
• Plan a Synthesis Project (tutorial)

Search Reactions - Virtual Class recordings*

• Part 1 (Reaction substructure search. Group results.)
• Part 2 (Analyze and refine reaction answer sets. Get experimental procedures.  Group by transformation type.)
• Part 3 (Using SciPlanner. Finding commercial sources for substances.)
• Workbook for Parts 1-3 (PDF)
• Exercises for Parts 1-3 (PDF)
• Download reaction file for exercises
• Download SciPlanner file for exercises
• Slide deck for instructors (PDF)
• Speaker notes for instructors (PDF)

Reference Searching

Our unrivaled collection of chemistry and related scientific literature includes patent coverage to help ensure you have the information you need when you need it.

• How to Create a Reference Answer Set (PDF)*        
• How to Work with Reference Answer Sets (PDF)*      

Search References - Virtual Class recordings*

• Part 1 (Formulate a query and remove duplicate answers. Use Refine to narrow an answer set.)    
• Part 2 (Create a Keep Me Posted (KMP) alert. Sort by cited references. Analyze an answer set, and access full text.)   
• Part 3 (Use Categorize. Export and save answer sets. Retrieve associated substances.)    
• Workbook for Parts 1-3 (PDF)
• Exercises for Parts 1-3 (PDF)  
• Slide deck for instructors (PDF)
• Speaker notes for instructors (PDF)

General Topics

• Add a Keep Me Posted (KMP) Alert (tutorial)*
• How to Create a Keep Me Posted (KMP) Alert (PDF)*
• How to Print, Save, and Export (PDF)*