---
title: "searchString(_:inUserInterfaceItemString:range:found:)"
framework: appkit
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "appkit/nsapplication/searchstring(_:inuserinterfaceitemstring:range:found:)"
---

# searchString(_:inUserInterfaceItemString:range:found:)

Searches for the string in the user interface.

## Declaration

```swift
func searchString(_ searchString: String, inUserInterfaceItemString stringToSearch: String, range searchRange: NSRange, found foundRange: UnsafeMutablePointer<NSRange>?) -> Bool
```

## Parameters

- `searchString`: The search string.
- `stringToSearch`: The string to search.
- `searchRange`: The subrange of the stringToSearch to restrict the search to.
- `foundRange`: Returns, by-reference, the range of the searchString within stringToSearch.

## Return Value

Return Value true if the searchString is matched, otherwise false.

## Discussion

Discussion The search uses the default matching rules for Spotlight for Help.

## See Also

### Providing help information

- [registerUserInterfaceItemSearchHandler(_:)](appkit/nsapplication/registeruserinterfaceitemsearchhandler(_:).md)
- [unregisterUserInterfaceItemSearchHandler(_:)](appkit/nsapplication/unregisteruserinterfaceitemsearchhandler(_:).md)
- [showHelp(_:)](appkit/nsapplication/showhelp(_:).md)
- [activateContextHelpMode(_:)](appkit/nsapplication/activatecontexthelpmode(_:).md)
- [helpMenu](appkit/nsapplication/helpmenu.md)