Select Edit > Find
Last updated on
Apr 7, 2026
Learn how to search for files and folders with Adobe Bridge by using multiple combinations of search criteria.
You can save search criteria as a smart collection, which is a collection that stays up to date with files that meet your criteria.
Note
(Mac) When trying to navigate to the drive location of services, such as Dropbox and iCloud, in Bridge — make sure that the user Library folder is accessible. The user Library folder is hidden by default in Mac OS X 10.7 and later releases. To access content in the Library folder, see Can't see user library files in Mac OS X 10.7 and later.
Select the folder where you're willing to search.
Choose search criteria by selecting options and limiters from the Criteria menus. Enter search text in the box on the right.
To add search criteria, select the plus sign (+). To remove search criteria, select the minus sign (-).
Choose an option from the Match menu to specify whether any or all criteria must be met.
Select Include All Subfolders to expand the search to any subfolders in the source folder. (Optional)
Select Include Non-Indexed Files (may be slow) to specify that Adobe Bridge searches uncached and cached files. Searching uncached files (in folders that you have not previously browsed in Adobe Bridge) is slower than searching cached files. (Optional)
Select Find
To save the search criteria, select the new Smart Collection button in the Collections panel when Adobe Bridge displays your search results. The Smart Collection dialog box automatically includes the criteria of your search. Refine the criteria if desired, and then select Save. Enter a name for the smart collection in the Collections panel, and then select Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS). Learn more on how to create a smart collection.
Perform a Quick Search
Use the Quick Search field in the application bar to find files and folders in Adobe Bridge. Quick Search lets you search using either the Adobe Bridge search engine or Windows Desktop Search (Windows) or Spotlight (Mac OS). The Adobe Bridge engine searches filenames and keywords. Operating system engines look for filenames, folder names, and image keywords. Adobe Bridge search looks within the currently selected folder and all subfolders, including My Computer (Windows) and Computer (Mac OS). Operating system search engines look in the currently selected folder or in My Computer (Windows) and Computer (Mac OS).
Select the magnifying glass icon in the Quick Search field > Select Adobe Bridge, Windows Desktop Search (Windows), or Spotlight (Mac OS) as your search engine.
Enter the search criteria.
Select Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS).
Search Adobe Stock
In addition to searching for assets in Bridge or on your computer, you can also use the Quick Search box (on the right side of the Application bar) to search for high-quality Adobe Stock illustrations, vectors, and photos. When you search, the results appear on the Adobe Stock website in your default web browser. To know more about Adobe Stock, see Adobe Stock Learn & Support.To switch your search between Adobe Stock search and Windows (Win)/Spotlight (Mac) search options, use the drop-down list in the Quick Search box.
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