# Search as menu item

## Recommended Method

Open up the **Appearence -> Menus** page and make sure the Ajax Search Pro is enabled on the screen options.

<figure><img src="/files/MDZ1nQsutCnxeGi93WBJ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Under the **Appearence -> Menus** on the left side there will be an Ajax Search Pro menu group.

<figure><img src="/files/3ok4Jto2GUWG0clFgO6b" alt=""><figcaption><p>Ajax Search Pro menu element</p></figcaption></figure>

After clicking the *Add To Menu* button, a new menu item will be added to the menu. In this menu element you can choose which Search instance should be used.

<figure><img src="/files/wBHbAw4AvHZBxSag13NS" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Menu Attributes

* &#x20;<mark style="background-color:purple;">Search</mark>  (drop-down) - To select which search instance should be used
* &#x20;<mark style="background-color:purple;">Prevent custom script events</mark> (checkbox) - If selected, the plugin will try to prevent custom events attached to the parent menu item. It may help in cases where menu has custom redirection or hover related events attached.

## Legacy Method via shortcode

It is possible to use the search box shortcode in a menu as the title field. The menu item will be automatically replaced with the search bar. This simple guide will help you achieve that.

1\) Under the **Appearence -> Menus** submenu open up (or create) the menu you want to edit.

![](http://i.imgur.com/QqCp0qu.png)

2\) Click on the **Custom Links** item and as the *URL* enter anything (I used the '#' character in this example), and as the *Link Text* paste the search shortcode, then click the **Add to Menu** button.

![](http://i.imgur.com/n1ty3oB.png)

3\) That's it. The menu item is created, now you can move it like any other one.

![](http://i.imgur.com/60g2eJe.png)

4\) **Make sure to save the menu**, and the search should appear as a menu item on the front-end.

![](http://i.imgur.com/8ZlPWoY.png)


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