# fetch.get_mukey_by_areasymbol { #soildb.fetch.get_mukey_by_areasymbol }

```python
fetch.get_mukey_by_areasymbol(areasymbols, client=None)
```

Get all mukeys for given area symbols (TIER 4 - Helper).

**WHEN TO USE THIS**:
- You know the survey area(s) but need to discover all map units
- Planning multi-step fetch operations
- Building key lists for fetch_by_keys()

**DESIGN - Why this helper exists**:
- Convenience: Discovers all mukeys in survey areas
- Use before: fetch_by_keys(..., "component", key_column="mukey")
- Performance: Small result (quick execution)

Args:
    areasymbols: List of survey area symbols (e.g., ["IA001", "IA002"])
    client: Required SDA client instance

Returns:
    List of all mukeys found in specified survey areas

Examples:
    # Discover mukeys in survey areas
    >>> mukeys = await get_mukey_by_areasymbol(["IA001", "IA002"])
    >>> print(f"Found {len(mukeys)} map units")

    # Then fetch components for those map units
    >>> components = await fetch_by_keys(mukeys, "component", key_column="mukey")
    >>> df = components.to_pandas()

See Also:
    get_cokey_by_mukey() - Discover cokeys from mukeys
    fetch_by_keys() - Use discovered keys to fetch data