How to Access Quick Search
The Quick Search is available to all users by default in Digitail.
To access it:
Press Command ⌘+K (on a Mac)
Ctrl+K (on Windows/Linux)
from anywhere in Digitail, and the Quick Search will open instantly, ready for your search.
📌 You can access Quick Search from any page inside Digitail without interrupting your current workflow. It's designed to be your universal command center for navigating the platform.
Quick Search in Action
1. Universal Search from Anywhere
It provides instant access to patients, pages, and actions without leaving your current location. Simply press ⌘+K (or Ctrl+K) from any page in Digitail to begin searching.
2. Patient Search with Smart Results
Search for Patients by name, microchip number, or other identifiers. As you type, Quick Search displays matching patients in real-time:
Minimum 2 characters required to begin searching
Results appear instantly as you type
You can view patient details including name, pet parent, species, and breed
Press Enter or click on a patient to view their profile
💡The more specific your search query, the more accurate your results. Try searching with unique identifiers like microchip numbers for instant matches.
3. Quick Actions with Number Shortcuts
Access frequently used actions directly from the search view. Each action is assigned a number shortcut (1-9) for instant access:
Press 1 - Create Appointment
Press 2 - Create Task
Press 3 - Ask Tails (if Tails AI is enabled)
You can also search for actions by name (e.g., type "appointment" to find the Create Appointment action).
4. Page Navigation with Split View Support
Navigate to any page in Digitail by searching for page names, categories, or related keywords:
Type at least 2 characters to see matching pages
Results show page name and category
Select and open the page you were looking for
Press + Button on the right upper corner to add the page to split view
5. Slash Commands for Focused Searching
Use slash commands to filter your search and browse specific content types:
/actions- Show all available actions you can perform/pages- Browse all pages in Digitail/patients- Focus search on patients only
After typing a slash command, you can add additional text to filter the results further:
Example:
/pages calendarshows only pages related to the calendarExample:
/actions taskshows only actions related to tasks
6. Keyboard-First Navigation
Quick Search is optimized for keyboard navigation, allowing you to work faster without reaching for your mouse:
Arrow Up/Down - Navigate through search results
Enter - Select the highlighted result
Esc - Close Quick Search
1-9 - Activate quick action shortcuts
Keyboard hints are always visible at the bottom of the Spotlight modal to help you remember available shortcuts.
7. Integration with Tails AI Assistant
If your clinic has Tails AI Assistant enabled, Quick Search provides seamless access to AI-powered assistance:
When you search for something and no results are found, Quick Search offers to Ask Tails about your query
Press 3 + Enter from the main search view to open Tails directly
When patient results are shown, a "Ask Tails about [Pet Name]" option appears at the bottom of results
Tails opens with your search query pre-populated, ready to provide assistance
🦊 Can't find what you're looking for? Tails can help answer questions about workflows, features, or guide you to the right place in Digitail.
Empty State Guidance
8. Empty State Guidance
When you first open Quick Search (before typing), you'll see helpful guidance including:
Quick overview of how to use Quick Search
Available slash commands
Keyboard shortcuts reference
Tips for efficient searching
This ensures new users can immediately understand how to leverage it's full capabilities.
Common Use Cases
Receptionist: Book Appointments Without Losing the Call
While on a call with a Pet Parent, open Quick Search to instantly access the Calendar and the Patient record in split view. Book the appointment while keeping all relevant information visible - no tab switching, no interruptions.
Task-Focused Staff: Create Follow-ups in Context
While reviewing a Patient file or report, use Quick Search to:
Jump directly to the Tasks list, or
Create a follow-up task on the spot
Everything happens without leaving the current view, keeping work fast and focused.
Vet Tech: Keep Clinical Context Front and Center
From Flowboard, open the Patient summary and post-visit instructions side by side.
This makes it easy to review details and communicate next steps without losing clinical context.
Practice Manager: Audit Faster with Split View
Use Quick Search to open Accounts Receivable (AR) reports alongside Patient data in split view. You can cross-check information in one screen to reduce clicks and speed up auditing.
Veterinarian: Review SOAPs More Efficiently
Before a consult, launch split view to compare:
Today’s SOAP
Previous visits or patient history
This allows for quicker reviews and faster clinical decision-making.
Veterinarian: Ask Tails Without Breaking Flow
Keep Tails open while exploring Patient data.
Ask clinical or workflow questions and get answers without navigating away from the Patient context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why don't I see any results when I search?
A: Ensure you've typed at least 2 characters for the search to activate. If you still don't see results, try different keywords or use slash commands like /pages or /actions to browse all available options.
Q: How do I open a page in a new browser tab instead of the Quick Search View?
A: When navigating to a page from Quick Search, look at the upper right corner, you will see a Open in New Tab Button.
Q: Can I customize the keyboard shortcuts?
A: Currently, Quick Search keyboard shortcuts are standardized for consistency across all users. The ⌘ K (or Ctrl K) shortcut and number keys (1-9) for quick actions are fixed.
Q: What happens if I don't have permission to perform an action?
A: Actions that require specific permissions will only appear if your User Role and Permissions allow access. If you don't see an expected action, speak with your Clinic Administrator to verify your permissions.
Q: Does Quick Search work on mobile devices?
A: Quick Search is optimized for desktop use only with keyboard shortcuts. On mobile devices, you can still navigate Digitail using the standard mobile navigation menu.