A computer-implemented technique uses a machine-trained model to convert input information provided by a user into a natural language expression and a semantic vector. The semantic vector provides a distributed representation of the natural language expression. The technique then uses the generated semantic vector to find a target data record having a target semantic vector that is within a prescribed distance to the generated semantic vector. The technique then outputs at least a target natural language expression that is associated with the target data record. The target data record is produced in an offline process that converts one or more attribute values in an existing structured data record into the target semantic vector and the target natural language expression. Also described herein is a technique for training the machine-trained model and for updating existing collections of data records using the machine-trained model.