You can search an individual document or window incrementally by entering a search string character by character, then observing the matches found as the search string lengthens. To activate an incremental search, choose Advanced from the Edit menu and choose Incremental Search.

An incremental search automatically searches the entire document or all text within a window, with the exception of text that has been collapsed or concealed. The editor highlights the first set of characters found in the document or window that match the search string entered.

Note:
You cannot use wildcards or regular expressions in search strings for incremental searches.

Incremental searches are performed by default from the current location in the document downward, and from left to right. To move to the next match, press CTRL+I. To reverse the direction of the search, press CTRL+SHIFT+I.

The options set in the Find and Replace window are global. This means they persist from one search of any kind to the next. Incremental searches use the Match case option setting from your previous search. If, for example, you previously selected the Match case option for a search performed from the Find in Files, Find and Replace Window, and then you perform an incremental search, the incremental search will also be case sensitive.

Note:
The dialog boxes and menu commands you see might differ from those described in Help depending on your active settings or edition. To change your settings, choose Import and Export Settings on the Tools menu. For more information, see Visual Studio Settings.