> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Search your facility quickly
> Use the built-in search bar to find cars, customers, parking spots, zones, and scheduled events from anywhere in the dashboard.
Use this guide when you need to find a car, customer, parking spot, or appointment quickly — especially when a customer calls and you do not remember which page to open first.
Facility search works from almost any dashboard page. You do not need to open Cars or Contacts separately just to look something up.
## What you will accomplish
You will learn how to open search, type a useful query, read the grouped results, and jump straight to the correct record.
**Expected outcome:** You open the right car, customer, spot, or event in one or two clicks instead of scrolling long lists.
## When to use facility search
* A customer calls asking about their vehicle and you need the car record fast.
* You remember part of a license plate, VIN, or customer name but not the full spelling.
* You need to confirm which parking spot or zone a car uses.
* You want to open a scheduled event without browsing the full [Schedule](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/schedule) calendar.
**Search vs. full list pages**
Facility search is for **finding one record quickly**. When you need to filter dozens of cars or export a report, use the search and filters on [Cars](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/cars) or [Contacts](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/contacts) instead. See [Find and filter cars](/docs/cars/find-and-filter-cars) and [Find and filter contacts](/docs/contacts/find-and-filter-contacts).
## Before you start
* You are signed in to the staff dashboard.
* You know at least two characters to search — a name fragment, plate, VIN segment, spot name, or event title.
## Open facility search
You can open search in two ways:
On Windows or Linux, press **Ctrl+K**.
On Mac, press **⌘K** (Command + K).
**Expected result:** A search window titled **Search your facility** opens in the center of the screen.
On some dashboard pages — such as [Dashboard](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/v2) — you may see a search bar that says **Search cars, customers, parking, events…** with a **⌘K** hint on the right.
Click that bar to open the same search window.
*On [Dashboard](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/v2), you can click the search bar instead of using the keyboard shortcut. The shortcut still works on every dashboard page.*
**Why this matters:** The keyboard shortcut works even when the search bar is not visible on screen.
*When search first opens, type at least two characters. The dialog searches cars, customers, parking spots, zones, and events.*
**Do not confuse with other shortcuts**
**Ctrl+K** / **⌘K** opens **facility search**.
**Ctrl+Shift+K** / **⌘⇧K** opens a different **quick task** dialog. If the wrong window appears, press **Escape** and try again without the Shift key.
## Type your search
The cursor should already be in the search field when the dialog opens. If not, click once inside the box.
Examples that work well:
* Customer last name: **Morgan**
* Make or model: **Lamborghini** or **Huracan**
* Plate fragment: **ABC**
* VIN segment: last six characters
* Parking spot name: **A1** or **Front Row**
* Event or customer name tied to an appointment
**Expected result:** After a brief pause, matching results appear grouped by type.
Results are organized under headings such as **Cars**, **Customers**, **Parking spots**, **Parking zones**, and **Events**.
Each row shows a colored badge (**Car**, **Customer**, **Spot**, and so on), a title, and sometimes a subtitle with extra detail (year, plate, customer name).
**Why this matters:** The badge color tells you what kind of record you are about to open before you click.
Click the row you need. The search window closes and the app opens that record's page.
**Expected result:** You land on the car detail page, customer record, parking spot, or event you selected.
*Results group by type. Click a row to jump directly to that car, customer, spot, zone, or event.*
## Search for parking spots and events
The same search window also finds **parking spots**, **zones**, and **scheduled events**. Try typing a spot name (for example **Bay 1**) or part of an event title.
*Parking spots and events appear in the same search window as cars and customers. Read the colored badge on each row before you click.*
**Why this matters:** When a customer asks where their car is parked, search is often faster than opening the full [Parking Spots](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/parking-spots) map.
## Tips for better searches
**Start simple.** Try the customer's last name or the car's make before you type a long VIN.
**Use unique fragments.** A rare model name or the last four characters of a plate often finds one match faster than a common first name.
**Try again with fewer characters** if nothing appears — you may have mistyped, or the record may use a different spelling in the system.
**Open the full list page** if search shows too many matches. [Cars](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/cars) and [Contacts](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/contacts) have stronger filters for large fleets.
## What search does not include
* **Invoices and quotes** — open [Payments > Invoices](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/payments/invoices) or [Quotes](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/payments/quotes).
* **Inbox messages** — open [Inbox](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/inbox) and search inside a conversation list.
* **Settings pages** — use the sidebar **Settings** menu or [Settings overview](/docs/settings/overview).
* **Team members by name** — use [Settings > Team](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/team) to manage staff.
For billing and contract questions by voice, the [AI Assistant](/docs/ai-assistant/overview) can also look up invoices and agreements when your role allows it.
## Troubleshooting
**Search says No matches found**
Confirm the record exists on the full list page ([Cars](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/cars) or [Contacts](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/contacts)). Check spelling. Try a plate or VIN fragment instead of the customer name. New records may take a moment to appear after someone else creates them — refresh the page and search again.
**The shortcut does nothing**
Click inside the dashboard page first so the browser is focused on the app, not another program. On Mac, use **⌘K** (Command, not Control). Press **Escape** to close any other dialog, then try again.
**I opened the wrong record**
Press the browser **Back** button or use the sidebar to return to your previous page. Search again with a more specific term.
## What to do next
After you find the record you need:
* **Car work** — assign parking with [Move a car](/docs/cars/move-a-car) or start intake with [Start a car session](/docs/cars/start-a-car-session).
* **Customer questions** — review [Review customer activity and history](/docs/contacts/review-customer-activity-and-history).
* **Parking** — open [Parking Spots](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/parking-spots) for the full map view.
If you are new to the dashboard, pair this guide with [Learn the dashboard](/docs/basics/learn-the-dashboard) so you know where each sidebar area fits in your daily routine.
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