Actions & Behaviors

Searching

Searching finds matching items based on words someone types.

Also called SearchQueryLook upFind something

Visual Example

invoiceS
Invoice #1042Invoice settings

Plain Definition

Searching starts from typed text and returns likely matches, usually from a list, directory, table, help center, or content library.

Use “searching” for the behavior and “search bar” for the visible field where the person types. Searching can work together with filtering, but filtering narrows a known set of items while searching looks for matches to a query.

You Might Describe This As...

  • "Look up"
  • "Find something"

Fast lookup

You May Also Mean

Searching is often mixed up with Filtering because the patterns can organize or reveal similar content in different ways.

Filtering

Check the name, visual cue, and typical use.

What It Is Used For

  • Finding a record
  • Looking up files
  • Searching products or articles

Example User Phrasing

  • "Let users search the customer list."
  • "Add searching by title or keyword."