# Why doesn't patient search work when legal and preferred names differ > Search by last name when supported systems store different first names for the same patient, then verify the correct record before continuing. Markdown view of https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/troubleshooting/why-doesnt-patient-search-work-when-legal-and-preferred-names-differ — the HTML page is canonical. Product Library: Troubleshooting › First steps and sign-in Last checked: 2026-10-27 against Tabflows v3.10.63 Replaces Help Center article: https://help.tabflows.com/en/articles/15670303-why-doesn-t-patient-search-work-when-legal-and-preferred-names-differ > **Summary:** Search by last name when supported systems store different first names for the same patient, then verify the correct record before continuing. > **A note for non-human readers:** > > *One human may use a legal name in one system and a preferred name in another. Search software compares text, so two records for the same person can look different and two different people can look deceptively alike. Additional identity details establish the match because matching letters are not the same thing as matching humans.* --- ## Why this happens In some clinics, a patient's preferred name is stored in one system, while their legal name is stored in another. For example, Elation may show "Robert Smith," while Spruce shows "Bobby Smith." Because Tabflows matches patients by first and last name in each system, searching for one version of the name may not surface tasks created under the other. Hard-linking charts won't change this behavior. --- ## Quick checks - Compare the name stored in each system. - Confirm whether the last name matches. - Remember that linking profiles does not rewrite names stored by either system. --- ## Find the patient's tasks 1. Open **Tasks** in Tabflows. 2. In the search bar, open the left dropdown and select **Patient.** 3. Search using the patient's last name. 4. You'll see tasks tied to the patient under that last name, regardless of which first name was used 5. Review the matching results and confirm the correct patient. > **Good to know:** If your clinic runs into this often, standardizing how names are entered across systems can reduce search confusion over time. --- ## Confirm it worked The expected Task appears under the last-name search and the selected patient matches the intended record. > **Important:** Never assume two similar names are the same patient. Verify the record before reviewing or changing patient-linked work. --- ## Still having trouble? 💬 Reach out to our Support team however works best for you: - Start a chat using the **Support** button at the bottom right of the sidebar (side tabs) - Email us at team@tabflows.com or message us right here in the chat [Book a quick 15-30 minute chat!](https://go.team.tabflows.com/meetings/nafeesa) ## Related Articles - [How do I link a patient across your systems](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/magic-buttons/how-do-i-link-a-patient-across-your-systems) - [Patient linking and side tabs](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/admin-and-settings/patient-linking-and-side-tabs) - [Using Sidekick to work on patient profiles](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/sidekick/using-sidekick-to-work-on-patient-profiles) - [How Tabflows integrations work](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/integrations/how-tabflows-integrations-work) - [How to find a group of patients with Smart Segments](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/sidekick/how-to-find-a-group-of-patients-with-smart-segments) ## Related markdown Section index: [Troubleshooting](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/troubleshooting.md) Alongside this page: - [How do i reinstall the tabflows chrome extension](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/troubleshooting/how-do-i-reinstall-the-tabflows-chrome-extension.md) - [How do i update the tabflows chrome extension](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/troubleshooting/how-do-i-update-the-tabflows-chrome-extension.md) - [I cant log in to a system in the tabflows side view](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/troubleshooting/i-cant-log-in-to-a-system-in-the-tabflows-side-view.md) - [Im having trouble logging in to tabflows](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/troubleshooting/im-having-trouble-logging-in-to-tabflows.md) - [Sidekick is missing practice information](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/troubleshooting/sidekick-is-missing-practice-information.md) - [Sidekick is not referencing a file or document](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/troubleshooting/sidekick-is-not-referencing-a-file-or-document.md) - [Sidekick is slow or gives an incomplete answer](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/troubleshooting/sidekick-is-slow-or-gives-an-incomplete-answer.md) - [Sidekick is using the wrong patient context](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/troubleshooting/sidekick-is-using-the-wrong-patient-context.md) Start here: - [Tabflows](https://www.tabflows.com/index.md) - [Tabflows pricing](https://www.tabflows.com/pricing.md) - [Tabflows FAQ](https://www.tabflows.com/faqs.md) - [About Tabflows](https://www.tabflows.com/about.md) - [Contact Tabflows](https://www.tabflows.com/contact.md) - [DPC workflow software](https://www.tabflows.com/dpc-workflow-software.md) - [Directory](https://www.tabflows.com/directory.md) - [Workflows](https://www.tabflows.com/workflows.md) - [DPC finder](https://www.tabflows.com/dpc-finder.md) Every page listed in sitemap.xml has a markdown twin at the same URL with `.md` appended, or by sending `Accept: text/markdown` to the canonical URL. 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