In a grid of letters, what must you do to find a hidden word?

Finding a hidden word in a grid of letters can involve multiple orientations where the word may be placed. Scanning vertically, horizontally, and diagonally covers all potential placements of the word.

When scanning horizontally, you check rows from left to right. If the word is oriented this way, it will be found. Scanning vertically allows you to look from top to bottom in columns, which captures another orientation of possible word placements. Additionally, scanning diagonally enables you to identify words that run from one corner of the grid to another, either from the top left to the bottom right or the top right to the bottom left.

By using all three methods—vertical, horizontal, and diagonal—you maximize the chances of successfully finding the hidden word, as it could be laid out in any of those directions. This comprehensive approach is essential in word search puzzles, where a word could be cleverly disguised in any orientation.