Quick Find is a brilliant feature that combines navigation and search into a single function. Here’s how to use it.

Search (Quick Find)

It’s never been easier to do a search from anywhere in Things. Initially, Quick Find only looks at the names of to-dos, projects , areas , as well as tags , so suggestions can be shown as soon as you start typing.

Mac
  1. On your Mac, open Things.
  2. Start typing to begin a search (or use ⌘ Cmd F).
Quick Find will magically appear as soon as you start typing.
iPad & iPhone
  1. On your mobile device, open Things.
  2. Pull down in any list to reveal Quick Find.
  3. Start typing to begin a search.
Pull down in a list to start a search.

On iPad, the search field is always available at the top of the sidebar. When using a hardware keyboard, just start typing to search (or hit ⌘ Cmd F).

Search everything (Continue Search)

To include your notes , checklists , and completed items from the Logbook in the search scope, hit Continue Search at the bottom of the Quick Find popover.

Mac
iPad & iPhone
Use Continue Search to find content in notes, checklists, or the Logbook.
Use Continue Search to find content in notes, checklists, or the Logbook

Navigate with Quick Find

Navigating via Quick Find works the same as initiating a search. Instead of entering a search term, you type the name of your destination. Here are some examples:

  • Type ”tod…” to jump to the Today list.
  • Type ”finan…” to jump to the Finances area.
  • Type ”next action” to jump to the Next Action Steps heading in a project.
Mac
iPad & iPhone
Go anywhere in Things by using Quick Find. When the sidebar is hidden, you can also click the list name at the top to navigate or use ⇧ Shift ⌘ Cmd O to see a dropdown which includes all lists.
Go anywhere in Things by using Quick Find. When you’re scrolled down in a list, tap the list name at the top.

Reveal Special Quick Find lists

Things has a few special lists. You can either find them by hitting View → Go To on your Mac or iPad (in Windowed mode) or start typing their name in Quick Find (works across all devices):

  • Tomorrow – everything scheduled for the next day.
  • Deadlines – everything with a deadline.
  • Repeating – every repeating template.
  • All Projects – every open project.
  • Logged Projects – all completed projects in the Logbook.

At this time, these lists can’t be pinned to the sidebar/main lists view. But you can create a widget if you need to keep an eye on them. Here’s how.

Mac
iPad & iPhone
Access Settings or special Quick Find lists by typing their name.
Access Settings or special Quick Find lists by typing their name.

Find in text (notes only)

Things also allows you to limit your search to the notes text inside of an open to-do, which can be useful with longer notes. This feature does not rely on Quick Find, though. Learn more.

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