Looking for one word in a long Google Doc should not turn into line-by-line scanning. Google Docs has a quick Find search for the open file and a fuller Find and replace tool when you need more control. Start with the desktop shortcut when you are at a computer. Use the later sections for phones, comments, Drive searches, exact phrases, and add-ons.
Search the open document fast
On a computer, open the document in Google Docs and press Ctrl + f on Windows, ChromeOS, or Linux. On a Mac, press Command + f. Type the word in the search box. Docs highlights each matching result in the document.
Use the arrows in the search box to move through matches. Press Enter to move forward, or press Shift + Enter to move back.
Use Find and replace without changing text
Open your Google Doc on a computer, then click Edit and choose Find and replace. Next to Find, type the word you want to locate.
Click Next to move forward through matches, or click Prev to move back. Leave Replace and Replace all untouched unless you want to change the matching text. Use this method when you need Match case or Match using regular expressions.
Open Find and replace from the keyboard
This fixes the extra menu clicking when you already need the full search panel. Open the document in Google Docs. Press Ctrl + h on Windows or ChromeOS. On a Mac, press Command + Shift + h.
Enter the word in Find. Use Next, Prev, Replace, or Replace all for the action you need.
Search inside the Google Docs mobile app
This method applies in the Google Docs app on Android, iPhone, and iPad. Both mobile versions start from the same menu name. Open the document in the Google Docs app.
Tap More, then choose Find and replace. Type the word you want to search for, then tap Search.
Use the arrows at the top of the screen to move between matches. On Android, tap Done when you finish. On iPhone or iPad, tap Close.
Find the word in comments
Searching the document body does not search comment threads. To search comments, open the document on a computer and click Show all comments in the top right.
In the Comments panel, click Search all comments. Enter a keyword or a person's name, then click a matching comment to jump to its location. If comment search misses what you need, use normal document search for body text or Drive search for files that contain the word.
Search for a Doc from Google Drive
The most common mix-up is searching inside one open Doc when you need to find which Google Docs file contains the word. On a computer, go to Google Drive. Type the word or phrase into the Drive search box. Use the Type filter and choose Documents to narrow results to Google Docs files.
You can also type type:document with your search term. For an exact phrase, put the phrase in quotation marks, such as "match this phrase exactly". Drive locates the file; it does not jump straight to the word inside an open document.
Narrow broad searches with matching options
Use these options when a simple word search returns too many matches.
- 1.Open the document on a computer, click Edit, then choose Find and replace.
- 2.Enter your search term next to Find.
- 3.Select Match case when capitalization must match.
- 4.Select Match using regular expressions when you need a pattern-based search.
- 5.Use Next or Prev to review matches before using Replace or Replace all.
Launch search with Tool finder
Open your Google Doc on a computer. Press Alt + / on Windows. On a Mac, press Option + /. On ChromeOS, press Alt + z or Alt + /.
Type Find or Find and replace, then choose the matching command. When a shortcut does not respond for your language or keyboard layout, use Edit > Find and replace.
Install an add-on only for advanced search needs
This method applies when the built-in Find and Find and replace tools do not cover the search feature you need. Google Docs add-ons are installed from Google Workspace Marketplace through the current Docs menu path. Google currently documents add-on installation and use for Docs as "English only."
Open a document on a computer, then click Extensions and choose Add-ons. Click Get add-ons.
Search Google Workspace Marketplace for a Docs search or find add-on. Open the add-on listing, then click Install. Click Continue. If prompted, review the access request and click Allow, then click Done.
Run the installed add-on from its right sidebar or from Extensions, depending on how that add-on works. Old instructions that point to a top-level Add-ons menu or the Chrome Web Store are not the current Google Docs path. On a work or school account, use the built-in tools when your administrator blocks Marketplace add-ons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to search in Google Docs?
Press Ctrl + f on Windows, ChromeOS, or Linux, or Command + f on Mac. Type the word, then use the arrows to move between matches.
Can I search comments separately from the document text?
Yes. Open the document on a computer, click Show all comments, choose Search all comments, and enter a keyword or person's name.
Can Google Drive search find Docs that contain a word?
Yes. Search the word in Google Drive, then filter by Documents or add type:document to the search. Open the matching Doc to search inside it.
Does regular expression replacement work the same in Docs and Sheets?
No. Google Docs supports regular expressions for matching in Find and replace, but replacement syntax entered in Replace with is inserted literally in Docs.