Search for a target within a file
You can search for a text string in a currently opened file in the editor. Using different options, you can narrow your search process, use regular expressions in your search, and manage your search results.
Open your file in the editor.
From the main menu, select
(Ctrl+F).In the search field that opens, enter your search string. IntelliJ IDEA highlights the results of your search in the file.
Manage your search
IntelliJ IDEA lets you adjust your search process and perform various actions with the displayed search results.
If you want to see the list of previous searches, press Alt+Down in the search field.
If you want to enter a multi-line string, click the icon in the search field for a new line.
Use the and arrows to navigate to the previous or the next occurrence.
Work with the list of occurrences (Alt+F7) in the Find tool window, where you have other options, for example, to group your results or to open them in a separate window.
Click the or icon to add a selection of the next occurrence or deselect the previous occurrence (Alt+J or Shift+Alt+J).
If you want to quickly replace the target of your search in the whole file, press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+J and type a new string.
You can narrow your search when you select the Words, Match case checkboxes on the search pane, or click the filter icon to select a scope for your search.
You can press Alt+X (previously known as Alt+G) to quickly select or clear the Regex checkbox. You can use regular expressions to opt for more challenging searches.