> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.tonic.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.tonic.ai/app/generation/generators/generator-reference/find-and-replace.md). # 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](/app/generation/generators-assign-config/generators-data-encryption-config.md) is enabled, then to use it for this column, in the advanced options section, toggle **Use data encryption process** to the on position. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.tonic.ai/app/generation/generators/generator-reference/find-and-replace.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.