## VASSAL Reference Manual

Home > Editor > Search

### Search

VASSAL’s Module Editor has a powerful Search facility to find components and pieces in a number of different ways.

The default scope is a simple search that targets the names and descriptions of module components. Options can be used to search through all module data or to limit the search to data types of interest. Special search types offer additional flexibility.

Initiate a search with the "Next" button [PgDn] and repeat this to advance the output item by item. The "Prev" button [PgUp] allows you to return to the previous item.

Search output indicates the number of items (traits and components) found and details each in order, positioning the editor on the found item. Traits are reported with a prefix indicating the line number of the trait within the found item (sample output below). Matched strings are high-lighted.

Note that a search will continue from the last item found and will wrap-around, until you restart the editing session.

#### Editing Modules

##### Type

Search may be normal, start of word or Regular Expression. "Start of word" uses a pre-formatted regular expression to find matches on words or phrases starting with the search string.

##### Exact Case

Force an Exact case search (i.e. abc is different to ABC).

##### Scope

Choose from a basic search of component and piece names, a full search of all supported data or use "advanced filters" to select specific data types. Note that there are a few data fields that search does not check.

When editing an Extension, default search scope is limited to Extension contents. A scope option appears that allows module contents to be included.

##### Match component names & descriptions

Match against the names and descriptions of components and pieces.

##### Match [Class names]

Match against the Java Class Name of components (in the editor these are the names in square brackets).

##### Match trait descriptions

Match against text recorded in the description fields of traits.

##### Match expressions and fields

Match against expressions defined in piece traits, both legacy and Beanshell.

##### Match property names

Match against the names of Properties provided by piece traits.

##### Match key commands

Match against Key Commands defined in piece traits. You can search against user defined Named Key Strokes, or for the standard name of defined Key Strokes (e.g., Ctrl+C or Alt+Shift+C).

##### Match UI text

Match against the Menu Text provided for piece trait right-click menus.

##### Match message formats

Match against the Formatted Strings defined in piece traits.

Basic Search

Advanced Filters.

Sample Output.