What does the search expansion tool allow you to do?

The search expansion tool is designed to help users understand how macros will be interpreted within their search queries. By providing a preview of what the macro will expand to before executing the search, it aids users in verifying that their search will yield the expected results. This feature is particularly useful when dealing with complex macros or when several macros are nested together, as it reduces the likelihood of errors in the search syntax or logic.

Using the search expansion tool effectively allows users to troubleshoot and refine their searches, enhancing their overall experience with Splunk and improving the accuracy of the data they retrieve. It helps to ensure that when a search is finally executed, it aligns well with the user's intent.

In this context, the other options do not accurately reflect the specific function of the search expansion tool. For instance, the tool does not automatically fill in variables nor is it a requirement that it must be used before running a search with a macro. The option related to exporting results focuses on a different aspect of Splunk’s capabilities that is unrelated to the function of the search expansion tool.