An application can search for a specified string within MLE field text by using the MLM_SEARCH message, which searches for the string. The MLE field control returns TRUE if the string is found. The cursor does not move to the string unless the message specifies the MLFSEARCH_SELECTMATCH option.

An application also can use the MLM_SEARCH message to replace one string with another. If the message specifies the MLFSEARCH_CHANGEALL option, the MLE field control replaces all occurrences of the search string with the replacement string. Both the search string and the replacement string must be specified in an MLE_SEARCHDATA data structure passed with the message.