# Search preferences reference

> Reference for Search preferences.

Change search settings, provider settings, and index settings to meet your search needs.

To open the preferences, go to **Edit > Preferences > Search** (macOS: **Unity > Settings > Search**).

## General search settings

| **Setting**                                             | **Description**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| ------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Track the current selection in the search view**      | Invoke the [`SearchProvider.trackSelection`](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity-editor/editor-navigating-managing/editor-searching/search-overview/create-search-provider/api-register-provider.md) callback each time the Search selection changes.The callback pings assets in the **Project** and **Hierarchy** windows, which can slow search navigation in large projects. |
| **Generate an asset preview thumbnail for found items** | Display thumbnails for items that are currently visible in the results pane of the **Search** window\.When you disable this setting, the **Search** window displays a generic icon. This is useful in large projects, where generating thumbnails can slow navigation.                                                                                                   |
| **Refresh Search views in Play Mode**                   | Refresh results when Play mode causes changes in the hierarchy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Select the typing debounce threshold (ms)**           | Set the time the system waits for the user to finish typing before executing the search.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |

## Search provider settings

| **Setting**                  | **Description**                                                                                                                                                          |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Provider order**           | Use the arrows to change the order in which the **Search** window lists results. All items of a given provider priority appear before any lower priority provider items. |
| **Default action dropdowns** | Choose the default actions to run when you select (for example, double-click) an item in the search results.                                                             |
| **Reset Provider Settings**  | Resets all providers to their default state, action, and priority.                                                                                                       |

## Search engines settings

Select how to search in object fields, the **Project** window, and the **Hierarchy** window: classic search or advanced search. For more information, refer to [Use the Advanced Object Picker](/engine/6000.7/manual/working-with-gameobjects/unity-components/inspector-manage-components/search-advanced-object-picker.md).

## Indexing settings

To customize indexing, go to **Preferences** > **Search** > **Indexing**.

| **Setting**                        | **Description**                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| ---------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Custom indexers list**           | Enable and disable custom indexers. For more information, refer to [Create custom search indexers](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity-editor/editor-navigating-managing/editor-searching/search-overview/search-indexing/search-custom-indexers.md). |
| **Index on Editor startup**        | Start indexing automatically when the Unity Editor launches. When disabled, indexing only occurs the first time any Search API or tool is used. The option is disabled by default.                                                            |
| **Deep scene and prefab indexing** | Index the full content of scenes and prefabs. This process is longer than normal indexing. This option is disabled by default.                                                                                                                |
| **Packages indexing**              | Index the content of all the packages in the project. This process is longer than normal indexing. This option is disabled by default.                                                                                                        |
| **Ignored properties**             | Enter properties you want the index to ignore. The default list of ignored properties is appropriate for most use cases.                                                                                                                      |

## Additional resources

For more information, refer to the following resources:

* [Search provider references](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity-editor/editor-navigating-managing/editor-searching/search-overview/search-by-provider.md)
* [Create custom search indexers](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity-editor/editor-navigating-managing/editor-searching/search-overview/search-indexing/search-custom-indexers.md)
* [Use the Advanced Object Picker](/engine/6000.7/manual/working-with-gameobjects/unity-components/inspector-manage-components/search-advanced-object-picker.md)