## Searching for NetBeans APIs

See Also

When using the NetBeans APIs, you may know the class that you need to use, but not the API (or non-API module) to which it belongs. Until you make the API available to the IDE, you are unable to make use of its classes.

To search for a NetBeans API:

1. Right-click the Libraries node and choose Add Module Dependency.

   The Add Module Dependency dialog box appears.

2. In the Add Module Dependency dialog box, in the Filter textbox, start typing the name of the class that you need to use. The Module list narrows, showing only the modules that satisfy the filter.
   - If the Show Non-API Modules checkbox is unchecked (default), the IDE excludes any module for which the current module cannot access any packages without an implementation dependency. These are known as "non-API modules". In other words, only modules with public packages are included, or friend packages where this module is a friend.
3. When you find the module that you need to use, click OK. The IDE adds an entry to the `project.xml` file.

See Also
  About NetBeans Platform and Module Development
  About the NetBeans Platform

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