# Searching for messages

You can search for specific messages by typing a string into the Search messages box above the table. Note that Enterprise Manager searches only textual columns, not numeric columns. The following columns are included in the search, even if a column is not displayed in the user interface:

* Severity
* Reported By
* Server
* Task
* Message
* Error Code
* ID

You can also restrict a search to a specific column by preceding the search string with the column name and a colon, as follows: `ColumnName:value` (for example: `Type:TASK_STOP`). This is applicable to all available columns, not only the columns listed above.