> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.open-systems-pharmacology.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.open-systems-pharmacology.org/v13/working-with-mobi/mobi-documentation/tools.md).

# Tools

## Search Function

MoBi® contains a powerful search function to find parameters, molecules, reactions, or other elements in a project or simulation. This function is useful to locate parameters or elements of building blocks or simulations (e.g., molecules, parameters, container) within the current project.

To perform a search, make sure that the search window at the right side of the MoBi®window is expanded; like the Chart Editor or History window, the Search window can be collapsed by clicking **auto hide** ![Image](/files/TexxNbBs0VHj1zPlnHrq) (see [MoBi® - Window Overview](/v13/working-with-mobi/mobi-documentation/first-steps.md#mobi---window-overview)) and made again visible by clicking the **Search** bar. If in collapsible mode, the search window can be switched to the permanently visible mode by clicking **dock** ![Image](/files/XgRm3iydY6bLzbSET2I6).

A search text can then be entered into the **Search** input box. This may be the name of an element of a building block or simulation or a part of a description.

The scope of the search can be selected in the **Scope** combobox:

* Selecting Project will search through the entire project, meaning all contained building blocks and simulations.
* Selecting Local will search only within the currently edited building block.
* Selecting AllOfSameType will search within the currently edited building block and all other building blocks of the same type. If, for example, you are currently editing a Molecules building block and have several of them in your project, the search will show results from *all* molecules building blocks.

Several search options can be selected by checkboxes:

* Checking **Match whole word** will only return results where the whole word is matching what is entered in the **Search** input box.
* Checking **Use regular expression** will treat the text in the **Search** input box as a Regular Expression in the search. See other references (e.g., <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regular_expression>) for the explanation of a Regular Expression if you are not familiar with them.
* Checking **Match Case** will only return results where the upper and lower case of the characters entered into the **Search** input box matches. This checkbox cannot be used in combination with **Use regular expression** and will thus become inactivated once you select the previous checkbox.

To start the search, click on the magnifier glass icon at the right side of the **Search** input box. The results will then be displayed in the Search Results table; if nothing is found, this list will remain empty. Initially, only the building block names with search hits are listed in the results window, but you can expand the lists by clicking the symbol in front of the name.

{% hint style="info" %}
Double-clicking a listed item will show it in the edit window where you can view it in detail or enter changes.
{% endhint %}

## Find References

When editing a simulation, MoBi® can show where a parameter is used, i.e., list all formulas in the simulation model that reference the selected parameter. To find these references, in the parameters table of the simulation, right-click the row of the parameter in the area beside the leftmost column (highlighted below in green) and select **Find References...** from the context menu.

![Find References... in the context menu of a parameter](/files/Tv4H8IGmNXVeqiqxPzKp)

A dialog opens that shows one row for each formula in which the selected parameter is used:

![References to a parameter of a simulation](/files/In7ZmmabPtFUC506jQaS)

* **Used By**: the path of the object whose formula uses the parameter.
* **Type**: the type of the referencing object (e.g., Parameter, Observer).
* **Used As**: whether the parameter is used in the formula of the object or in its right-hand-side formula.
* **Alias**: the alias under which the parameter is referenced in the formula.
* **Formula Name**: the name of the referencing formula.
* **Formula**: the definition of the referencing formula.

References can be explored interactively: double-click a result row (or select **Find References...** from its context menu) to repeat the search for the referencing object, e.g., to find out where that object is used in turn. A breadcrumb trail at the top of the dialog shows the path along which you have drilled down, and **Back** returns to the previous target.

Clicking **Go To...** closes the dialog and navigates to the object selected in the results table, so it can be inspected or edited in the simulation.

{% hint style="info" %}
The results can be copied to the clipboard using **Copy Selected Rows** (Ctrl+C) or **Copy Table** (Ctrl+Shift+C), available in the context menu of the results table.
{% endhint %}

## Project History

The history manager allows you to document all steps that lead to a specific project status and particular results in MoBi®. With this manager you will be able to easily step back to previous states of your project work in the current session (i.e. a session endures from start of MoBi® to closing the program). The different lines in the manager represent different steps in modeling in the current project.

Here we only give a brief description; for more details see [History Manager and History Reporting](/v13/shared-tools-and-example-workflows/history-manager-history-reporting.md).

{% hint style="info" %}
If you want to test different possible directions in modeling of a specific problem, you can use this functionality to step back to the "decision point" (within the current session).
{% endhint %}

You will be able to reproduce every step that you have made during the project. In the window you will see the number of steps in the column **State After Action**. You can add labels in the history to mark important steps in your project modeling history and comment them by using the **Add Label...** button in the bottom. You can also change these comments by selecting a status in history and click on **Edit Comments...**. The **Rollback...** allows the user to step back to any numbered status in the current session.

![History Manager in MoBi®](/files/e1bNbqRHcpzG7F1gB8AE)