# find\_exp

Finds the first item in an array that matches a Liquid expression. Unlike `find`, which compares a property to a value, `find_exp` lets you write arbitrary conditions using the full Liquid expression syntax.

```liquid
{% assign expensive = products | find_exp: "product", "product.price > 100" %}
{% log expensive.title %}
```

#### Syntax

```liquid
{{ array | find_exp: item_name, expression }}
```

| Parameter    | Description                                              |
| ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| `array`      | Array of objects to search                               |
| `item_name`  | Variable name for the current item inside the expression |
| `expression` | Liquid expression that evaluates to truthy/falsy         |

#### Return Value

Returns the first item for which the expression evaluates to a truthy value, or `null` if no item matches.

#### Examples

**Find first product above a price threshold:**

```liquid
{% assign expensive = products | find_exp: "p", "p.price > 50" %}
{% if expensive %}
  {% log "First expensive product: " | append: expensive.title %}
{% endif %}
```

**Find first order with a specific tag:**

```liquid
{% assign vip_order = orders | find_exp: "order", "order.tags contains 'VIP'" %}
{% log vip_order.name %}
```

**Find first out-of-stock variant:**

```liquid
{% assign out_of_stock = variants | find_exp: "v", "v.inventory_quantity <= 0" %}
{% if out_of_stock %}
  {% log "Out of stock: " | append: out_of_stock.sku %}
{% endif %}
```

**Find first item matching multiple conditions:**

```liquid
{% assign match = products | find_exp: "p", "p.vendor == 'Nike' and p.product_type == 'Shoes'" %}
{% if match %}
  {% log match.title %}
{% endif %}
```

#### Notes

* The `item_name` parameter defines how you reference each item inside the expression
* The expression supports all Liquid operators: `==`, `!=`, `>`, `<`, `>=`, `<=`, `contains`, `and`, `or`
* Returns the **first** matching item only
* For simple property-to-value comparisons, `find` is more concise
* See also: `where_exp` (returns all matching items, not just the first)