Search in Whimsical lets you find files, folders, and content across your workspace, or within the specific file you have open, all from the search sidebar.

How do I open search in Whimsical?Copied!Link to this section

There are two main ways to instantly open search:

• Keyboard shortcut: Press Cmd + J (Mac) or Ctrl + J (Windows/Linux).
• Magnifying glass icon: Click the search icon in the top-right corner of the screen.

Search opens in a sidebar on the right side of the screen. Your most recently viewed files are shown immediately, but if you type in what you want to find, that’s what you’re going to see in the search results. Use the ↑ ↓ arrow keys to navigate through results without losing your place, and press Esc to close search.

You can also open search from the Command menu (Cmd + K / Ctrl + K). Type "search" to find the relevant action.

What are the search modes?Copied!Link to this section

Search gives you two modes to choose from:

You can switch between modes using the tabs at the top of the search sidebar. Next to Workspace, the second tab is named after what you have open, so it will read This board, This doc, This folder, or This section depending on where you are.

This tab searches inside the file, folder, or section you're currently viewing.

• In a folder or section: searches the names of files inside it
• In a board or doc: searches the content of that file

Shortcut: Cmd + F (Mac) or Ctrl + F (Windows/Linux) opens this search directly.

Workspace searches both the names and content of all files and folders in your workspace that you have access to, including:

• Your own private files
• Files shared with the workspace
• Files in teams you are a member of
• Files shared directly with you

It does not return results from other workspaces, or files in other members' private sections that haven't been shared with you.

Shortcut: Cmd + J (Mac) or Ctrl + J (Windows/Linux) opens Workspace search. If search is already open, Cmd + Enter or Ctrl + Enter switches to Workspace.

Title matches and content matches are shown together in one list, so you don't need to switch between views. The search sidebar stays open while you move through results with the arrow keys or mouse, so you can check each match without losing your place. Press Enter to open the highlighted result and close search.

What does search include and exclude?Copied!Link to this section

Search includes files, folders, and content you have permission to view.

Search excludes:

• Files or folders in other workspaces
• Private sections belonging to other members that haven't been shared with you

Keyboard shortcuts summaryCopied!Link to this section