.. include:: /shortcuts.rstext .. index:: single: Groups; Find groups single: Search only for groups you can join .. _find_groups: Find groups ----------------- *Groups → Find groups* You see groups and get basic information about them. If a group administrator decided to hide a group, you will not be able to see it unless you have been invited to it. .. figure:: /images/group/group_find_groups.* :alt: List of groups A list of groups and certain actions you can perform #. **Search**: Search for a certain group using a word / words from its title or description. Per default, you search for groups that you can join. If you want to change the search context, ... #. Use the drop-down menu to select a different context. You can search within: * **Groups I can join**. This is the default value and only shows those groups that you are not a member of **and** that you can join. Thus, it does not show any groups that have :ref:`controlled membership `. * **Groups I'm not in**: This shows all groups of which you are not a member. * **Groups I'm in**: A list of all your groups. This is the same list as you can see on :ref:`"My groups" `. * **All groups**: Display all groups no matter whether you are a member of them or not. #. **Group category**: You can limit your search results to a certain group category if :ref:`group categories ` exist. #. You can find out more about a group by * clicking on the group name to see the group homepage. * clicking on the name of the group administrator to get to their profile page. * clicking on the member link to see who is already a member of this group if the administrator discloses this. .. note:: Users who are staff or administrators in Mahara can hide groups. Thus, you may not be able to see all groups that exist in the system. #. If you want to become a member of an open group, click the *Join this group* button, and you will be a member immediately. #. If you already requested to become a member of a group, you see this mentioned and have to wait for the administrator's approval. #. If you want to join a group that needs the approval of the group administrator, click the *Request to join this group* button next to the group. The administrator will receive a notification and decide about admitting you to the group. #. Click the *Accept* button to join a group to which you have been invited. #. Click the *Decline* button to decline membership in a group to which you have been invited. .. note:: Usually, you do not see forums, group pages, group collections and group files unless you are a member of a group. If a group is publicly available, you do see the forum discussions.