# Search, favorites, App Launcher and navigation bar

*Platform Foundations Study Guide · Navigation · Last updated October 16, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-foundations/navigation/search-favorites-app-launcher-and-navigation-bar*

The four ways a user finds things in Lightning Experience: global search for any record, favorites for one-click shortcuts, the App Launcher for apps and items, and a navigation bar you can personalize, including temporary tabs.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Foundations
- Exam section: Navigation
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-foundations

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a scenario, identify how a user can locate and access necessary information.

## What the exam expects

- Find a record you can name but can't place, and narrow search results to one object.
- Get back to recent records, and keep one-click shortcuts with favorites.
- Switch apps, and open an item your current app doesn't show, with the App Launcher.
- Personalize your own navigation bar, and know what only an admin can change.
- Explain why a temporary tab disappears and how to keep it.

Key terms:
- **Global search:** the search box at the top of every page; it searches records across the org.
- **App:** a collection of fields, objects, permissions and functionality that supports a business process.
- **Navigation bar:** the bar at the top of an app that holds that app's items, such as Accounts or a dashboard.
- **Favorite:** a personal shortcut saved with the star in the header.
- **Temporary tab:** a tab marked with an asterisk, opened for an item whose parent object isn't in the navigation bar.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Global search scope | All searchable objects, not just the current app's | [Daily Dose of Salesforce CRM](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lex_implementation_basics/lex_implementation_basics_explore) |
| Search and access | Returns only results you have permission to view | [Daily Dose of Salesforce CRM](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lex_implementation_basics/lex_implementation_basics_explore) |
| New record missing from search | Wait for indexing; after 15 minutes, contact your admin | [Daily Dose of Salesforce CRM](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lex_implementation_basics/lex_implementation_basics_explore) |
| Favorites limit | Up to 200 | [Favorites Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.user_userdisplay_favorites_considerations.htm&type=5) |
| Who manages favorites | Only the user; admins can't edit or share them | [Favorites Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.user_userdisplay_favorites_considerations.htm&type=5) |
| App visibility | Only apps your profile or permission sets authorize | [Navigate Lightning Experience and Setup](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lex_migration_whatsnew/lex_migration_whatsnew_nav_setup) |
| Navigation bar limit | Up to 50 items, including default items | [Personalized Navigation Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.user_userdisplay_tabs_lex_considerations.htm&type=5) |
| Temporary tab ends | On close, logout or app switch; Add to Nav Bar keeps it | [Personalize the Navigation Bar](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.user_userdisplay_tabs_lex.htm&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Why might a record you just created not appear in global search?
- When does an item open as a temporary tab?
- Why can't an admin give every new hire the same starter favorites?
- Which navigation bar items can a user rename or remove?

## Sources

- [Navigate Around](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lex_implementation_basics/lex_implementation_basics_setup)
- [Navigate Lightning Experience and Setup](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lex_migration_whatsnew/lex_migration_whatsnew_nav_setup)
- [Daily Dose of Salesforce CRM](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lex_implementation_basics/lex_implementation_basics_explore)
- [Create Shortcuts to Salesforce Pages with Favorites](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.user_userdisplay_favorites.htm&type=5)
- [Favorites Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.user_userdisplay_favorites_considerations.htm&type=5)
- [Personalize the Navigation Bar in Lightning Experience](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.user_userdisplay_tabs_lex.htm&type=5)
- [Personalized Navigation Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.user_userdisplay_tabs_lex_considerations.htm&type=5)
- [Recycle Bin](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.recycle_bin.htm&type=5)
- [Explore Navigation](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/cert-prep-salesforce-certified-associate/explore-navigation)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 13 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Foundations pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams