Find and browse efficiently
Search
The search input sits in the filter row (MediaToolbar). Typing triggers a debounced request (e.g. 300-400 ms) to the WordPress media API. Results are filtered by filename, title, alt, or caption (depending on backend). The list updates, and the folder filter can stay or clear (see "Results outside folder" in Folder sidebar).
Quickly find a file by name or caption without scanning the grid.
Sort
Options in the filter-row dropdown: Newest first, Oldest first, Title A-Z, Title Z-A. Changing sort updates the API query (e.g. orderby=date / order or orderby=title) and refreshes the list. In grid view, every page of the infinite-scrolled list uses the same order.
Bring recent uploads to the top or alphabetize by title.
Infinite scroll (grid view)
When you scroll near the bottom of the grid, an IntersectionObserver (or similar) loads the next page of results (e.g. page 2, 3, …). New items append to the grid. A spinner or skeleton can show at the bottom until the next page is ready.
The API uses per_page and paged (or offset). The same filters (folder, type, search, sort) apply to every page so the list stays consistent.
Browse large libraries without clicking "Next page"; just scroll.
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In practice
Smart Media Manager — search by name, sort by date or title, load more on scroll. On this page, Find and browse efficiently is covered in detail: what it looks like in the admin, the exact controls it exposes, and how it behaves when you use it day to day. The sections above walk through Search, Sort, Infinite scroll (grid view) in order, so you can skim headings and jump straight to the part you need. Because find and browse efficiently is part of Smart Media Manager — folders, filters, bulk operations, and a fast grid for the media library — the settings you touch here interact with the rest of the feature; when in doubt, open the feature overview and follow the docs in order.
See also
Need a hand? Contact support or head back to the Smart Media Manager guide.