# Find and Replace This generator replaces all instances of the find string with the replace string. For example, you can indicate to replace all instances of `abc` with `123`. ## Characteristics


Consistency	No, cannot be made consistent.
Linking	No, cannot be linked.
Differential privacy	No
Data-free	No
Allowed for primary keys	No
Allowed for unique columns	No
Uses format-preserving encryption (FPE)	No
Privacy ranking	5
Generator ID (for the API)	`FindAndReplaceGenerator`

## How to configure To configure the generator: 1. In the **Find** field, type the string to look for in the source column value.\ \ To use a regular expression to identify the source value, check the **Use Regex** checkbox.\ \ If you use a regular expression, use backslash ( `\` ) as the escape character. 2. In the **Replace** field, type the string to replace the matching string with. 3. If [Structural data encryption](https://docs.tonic.ai/app/generation/generators-assign-config/generators-data-encryption-config) is enabled, then to use it for this column, in the advanced options section, toggle **Use data encryption process** to the on position.