The ViewSearch Bar checkbox toggles the display of the search bar. You can also hit CtrlF or F8 to bring up the search bar. From this bar, you can find, show and hide photos and videos based on title, tag, rating or other options.

To begin searching, simply enter a search keyword in the text box, or click on Flagged, Rating or Type. The text search matches your keywords across tag names, photo or video titles and photos' original filenames. The Flagged, Rating and Type buttons allow you to filter your collection by whether photos are flagged, their current number of stars, and whether the items shown are images, videos, or raw camera files, respectively.

Disabling the search bar or exiting Shotwell automatically resets the search bar.

A saved search persists across Shotwell sessions, and is updated as photos and videos are added and removed from your Shotwell library.

Create a new saved search with EditNew Search or by hitting CtrlS. The dialog box allows you to enter a name for the search and select whether you want to meet Any, All, or None of the criteria in the following rows.

Each row represents a search criterion. Use the + button to add more rows, and the - button to remove a specific row. The combo box on the left of each row selects the type of criteria. Criteria must be entered correctly before the OK button becomes available.