> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/control-your-show/chapter-index/select-with-instant-search.md).

# Select graphic layers and spreadsheet data with Instant Search

Captivate includes an Instant Search feature that enables you to select a graphic in the Project List by typing a graphic layer’s name. Also, if a spreadsheet is connected to a graphic layer, you can select data in a spreadsheet by typing a graphic layer’s name and the data that you want to display.

{% hint style="info" %}
Instant Search is entitlement-gated. On licenses without the entitlement, the **Use Instant Search** item does not appear in the **Settings** menu.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
When the search popup is open, the spacebar appends a literal space to the search string. When the popup is closed, the spacebar plays the row currently selected in the Project List.
{% endhint %}

**💡 TIP**\
Consider naming your graphic layers in a way that is easy to remember and type; the graphic layer’s name is what you’ll type to select a graphic layer when using Instant Search. To rename a graphic layer, double-click the name of a graphic layer in the Project List and enter a new name.

* [Select a graphic layer with Instant Search](#select-a-graphic-with-instant-search)
* [Select spreadsheet data in a graphic layer with Instant Search](#select-spreadsheet-data-in-a-graphic-layer-with-instant-search)

## Select a graphic with Instant Search

1. Open a project in Captivate.
2. Choose **Settings** > **Use Instant Search** to turn on the Instant Search feature. (A checkmark appears next to the menu option when it is on.)
3. Type the name of a graphic. As you type, a popup list appears in the middle of Captivate’s playout interface and shows the name of every graphic layer from the Project List that matches your entry.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8421dc63019e8c3f0cc4fb6f79ea64020c1ceb33%2Fimage_3881.png?alt=media" alt="Instant Search"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
4. Press the **down arrow** on your keyboard to highlight the name of a graphic layer in the popup list.
5. Press **ENTER**.

**💡 TIP**\
Press SPACEBAR to play a graphic layer that is selected in the Project List. See [Shortcuts](/reference/shortcuts.md) for more keyboard controls.

## Select spreadsheet data in a graphic layer with Instant Search

1. Open a project in Captivate and, if you haven’t already, connect spreadsheet data to a graphic layer.
2. Choose **Settings** > **Use Instant Search** to turn on Instant Search. (A checkmark appears next to the menu option when it is on.)
3. Type the name of a graphic. As you type, a popup list appears in the middle of Captivate’s playout interface showing the name of every graphic in the Project List that matches your entry.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8421dc63019e8c3f0cc4fb6f79ea64020c1ceb33%2Fimage_3881.png?alt=media" alt="Instant Search"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
4. Either finish typing the full name of a graphic or press the **down arrow** on your keyboard to highlight a graphic’s name in the popup list. Press **Tab** to cycle through entries in the popup.
5. Press the **+** or **forward slash** (**/**) key on your keyboard to drill into the spreadsheet rows for the highlighted graphic.
6. Type data that appears in the first column of the line or block that you want to select.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-b03179f5e54ae6a0229483c3965109c656986ca7%2Fimage_1569.png?alt=media" alt="Instant Search with data"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
7. Press **ENTER** to select the graphic and data.

**Tips**

* You can hide blocks, lines, or cells of data. See [Legacy Spreadsheet / CSV controller](/play-and-update-graphics/chapter-index-2/legacy-spreadsheet-controller.md) for details.
* Press SPACEBAR to play a graphic layer that is selected from the Project List. See [Shortcuts](/reference/shortcuts.md) for more keyboard controls.


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