Compliance Problems

How to Find Content Search in Microsoft Purview Portal

Phi Hung Vo Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are having trouble locating the Content Search feature in the Microsoft Purview portal due to recent navigation changes.

How to Find Content Search in the Microsoft Purview Portal

Product: Microsoft Purview
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Locating the Content Search tool to find existing jobs or create new searches in the updated compliance portal.
Observed behavior: The Content Search option is missing from its classic location, or the user cannot see it due to missing role permissions.

Before you start

Ensure you have your administrator credentials ready and understand that navigation in the Microsoft Purview compliance portal has recently been updated.

Solution 1Recommended

Locate Content Search via Navigation Pane or Search Bar

Use the updated Microsoft Purview compliance portal interface to directly access the Content Search tool.

Microsoft Purview has reorganized its interface, meaning classic features like Content Search might not be where you last saw them. The quickest way to find it is through the updated left navigation pane or the global search function.

Sign in to Microsoft Purview

Navigate to https://compliance.microsoft.com/ and log in using your Microsoft 365 administrator credentials.

Check the left navigation pane

Scroll through the left-hand menu and look for the 'Content search' option. Click it to access your search jobs.

Use the portal search bar

If you cannot easily spot it in the navigation pane, click the search bar at the top of the portal and type 'Content search' to jump directly to the feature.

Create a new search

Once in the Content search section, select 'New search', enter a unique name and optional description, and proceed to build your query.

Locate Content Search via Navigation Pane or Search Bar

Content Search vs eDiscovery: Keep in mind that Content Search and eDiscovery are separate features. Existing Content Search jobs may not appear under the eDiscovery tab.

Solution 2

Verify and Assign Required Compliance Roles

If the Content Search option is completely unavailable, your account likely lacks the specific compliance or eDiscovery permissions required to view it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see Content Search even though I am a Global Administrator?

Global Administrators do not automatically have the rights to perform eDiscovery or Content Searches for privacy reasons. You must explicitly assign the 'eDiscovery Manager' or 'Compliance Administrator' role to your account in the Purview portal before the feature becomes visible.

Are Content Search and eDiscovery the exact same feature?

No. While they are closely related compliance tools, Content Search is typically used for basic, organization-wide searches, whereas eDiscovery offers more advanced case management holds and analytics. Existing Content Search jobs will not automatically show up in the eDiscovery section.

How do I find my older Content Search jobs?

Sign in to the Microsoft Purview portal and navigate to the Content Search page via the left menu or the top search bar. Your previous standalone Content Search jobs will be listed there, provided your account still holds the necessary permissions.

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