A method for performing text searches on graph data stored in a database is provided. The method may include receiving, from a client, a request to perform a text search to locate a target string in the graph data stored in the database. The request may be in accordance with a declarative graph query configured to query the graph data stored in the database. The response to the request may include performing the text search to locate, in the graph data stored in the database, one or more records of strings that are exact matches, approximate matches, and/or linguistic matches for the target string. Related systems and articles of manufacture, including computer program products, are also provided.