Why it matters
Search is the fastest way to find a known contact. It is useful when you already have a name, phone number, email, or other identifying detail and do not need a full filter rule.
Key Concepts
Search: The text field at the top of the All contacts table used for quick contact lookup.
Contact table: The main list of contacts where search results, filters, selected rows, and columns are shown.
Filter builder: The advanced filtering tool for multi-condition searches, AI-assisted filters, and saved segments.
Result set: The contacts that match the current search and any active filters.
Step-by-Step: Search for a contact
Open Contacts from the main sidebar.
Select All contacts.
Click the Search field above the table.
Enter a name, phone number, email, or other known contact detail.
Review the matching contacts in the table.
Open a contact record or select rows for a bulk action when needed.
Clear the search field to return to the full view.
Tips and Best Practices
Use Search for quick lookup and Filter when you need multiple rules.
Clear existing filters if a contact should appear but does not show in search results.
Search before creating a contact to reduce duplicates.
Use external IDs consistently when contacts are synced from another system.
Troubleshooting
Issue | Possible Cause | Fix |
The expected contact does not appear | An active filter is narrowing the table or the search value does not match the stored record | Clear filters, check spelling, and search by phone, email, or external ID |
Too many contacts appear | The search term is broad | Use a more specific value or open Filter to add more conditions |
A duplicate contact appears in search results | The same person may have been imported or synced with different identifiers | Compare phone, email, and external ID values before editing or messaging |