Ever need to isolate several layers with similar names or prefixes in the layer dialogue box to manipulate them, but don't want to create a filter or group?

A simple solution lays just below the existing filters in the Layer Properties Manager, the Search for Layer box.

As soon as you click in this box your cursor resides in front of an asterisks, which is a symbol for showing anything in the text string, and you can start entering your on-the-fly filter criteria.  A good example would be to enter "A-" before the asterisks to show only the layers that start with the letter A and a dash.  The list of layers dynamically updates to the right, so if your filter isn't just right you can see the error immediately.

Don't forget, the filter is a one time use only affair, the filtered list will disappear after you close the dialogue box.  If you want to make a permanent filter, use the new Property Filter button in the top left of the dialogue box.