> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hex-rays.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hex-rays.com/ida-actions/dsclocatestring.md).

# DSCLocateString

## Description

Search the cache's bytes for a string literal. Choosing the action opens a small **query prompt**: enter a substring — the field keeps a history of past queries — and confirm. The **Options** group, collapsed by default, controls case-insensitive matching, the search scope (per-image vs entire files) and what is scanned (code sections, `.symbols` sidecar, other adjacent files).

Available from the DSC Index context menu, under **Locate**.

<figure><img src="/files/ogghwnfohZaR0zCy9Zo9" alt="Locate > String"><figcaption><p>The "Locate > String" entry in the DSC Index context menu</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/2WWW71bCcqll4VWPsumI" alt="DSC strings query prompt"><figcaption><p>The query prompt, with the Options group expanded</p></figcaption></figure>

Confirming runs the search and opens the **DSC strings** panel with the matches. The panel keeps the same query field and Options, so you can refine the search in place — edit the text and press Enter, or click the **Search** button.

### Result tree

Hits are grouped by their containing image (or file, when scoped to entire files); unlike the [DSC Index](/ida-actions/opendscindex.md), this tree exposes one extra level of grouping — the **section** the literal lives in (`__cstring`, `__oslogstring`, etc.) — useful when filtering log strings out of regular ones.

Each leaf shows the matched literal **in context**: not just the matched substring, but a few neighbouring bytes on either side, so the hit can be read as part of a broader literal at a glance (e.g. searching `nil completion` shows up as `%{public}@nil completion handler`). The leaf also carries its address; double-clicking jumps to the address — and triggers an on-demand load of the owning image if it isn't loaded yet.

<figure><img src="/files/Z8mpYIwnjwhx9FxskbcL" alt="DSC strings panel"><figcaption><p>The DSC strings search panel</p></figcaption></figure>

See [DSC Workflow](/core/disassembler/concepts/dsc-workflow.md).


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## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.hex-rays.com/ida-actions/dsclocatestring.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

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Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.