Using a keyword that contains a space in a Spotlight search?

Question

I'd like to run a Spotlight search to find all email messages that contain a specific attachment:

attachment names:screenshot

I tried the keyword "attachment names" in the Spotlight search window and in Finder's search field, but it returns no results. I suspect that this may be due to the space in the keyword "attachment names".

When I define the search criteria in Finder and pick Attachment names from the menu, it does return the correct results (see screenshot #2, I cut out the actual results).

Note: I tried leaving out the space, but that did not work. However, for another keyword, "Color space", using "colorspace" does work...

Note 2: Attachments are only one example, I'm looking for a solution that works for any keyword that contains of more than one word.

Answer 1

This is not an answer. I wrote this just inform: In my experience, spotlight can get the right result, even if it contains spaces in the file name. Please refer to the screenshot below

First, Make Sure enable "Mail & Message" option in spotlight preference.

PS:Usually you can search email in build-in Apple mail search or using Smart mailbox. Of course, you can also use the spotlight to search for email.

Answer 2

You would use the "" marks to search for multiple words that are also searched in the exact order as written.

To insist on words that are in order with nothing intervening, use quotes marks around them:

Example:

"Mail Attachment"

will search for Mail Attachment in names.

Read more on Spotlight searches here