diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/filter/parser.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/filter/parser.cpp
index 705137e0d7..5443db2854 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/filter/parser.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/filter/parser.cpp
@@ -643,7 +643,7 @@ bool CSMFilter::Parser::parse(const std::string& filter, bool allowPredefined)
             return false;
         }
 
-        int index = mData.getFilters().searchId(token.mString);
+        const int index = mData.getFilters().searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(token.mString));
 
         if (index == -1)
         {
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/tools/referencecheck.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/tools/referencecheck.cpp
index cf6d0b3a4d..87d133a59e 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/tools/referencecheck.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/tools/referencecheck.cpp
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ void CSMTools::ReferenceCheckStage::perform(int stage, CSMDoc::Messages& message
             messages.add(id, "Invalid faction rank", "", CSMDoc::Message::Severity_Error);
     }
 
-    if (!cellRef.mDestCell.empty() && mCells.searchId(cellRef.mDestCell) == -1)
+    if (!cellRef.mDestCell.empty() && mCells.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cellRef.mDestCell)) == -1)
         messages.add(
             id, "Destination cell '" + cellRef.mDestCell + "' does not exist", "", CSMDoc::Message::Severity_Error);
 
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/tools/topicinfocheck.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/tools/topicinfocheck.cpp
index 39d1262f26..ba99a33a28 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/tools/topicinfocheck.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/tools/topicinfocheck.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ int CSMTools::TopicInfoCheckStage::setup()
         mCellNames.insert(regionRecord.get().mName);
     }
     // Default cell name
-    int index = mGameSettings.searchId("sDefaultCellname");
+    const int index = mGameSettings.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId("sDefaultCellname"));
     if (index != -1)
     {
         const CSMWorld::Record<ESM::GameSetting>& gmstRecord = mGameSettings.getRecord(index);
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/collection.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/collection.hpp
index b00393b8af..fd39950bba 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/collection.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/collection.hpp
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ namespace CSMWorld
 
     private:
         std::vector<std::unique_ptr<Record<ESXRecordT>>> mRecords;
-        std::map<std::string, int> mIndex;
+        std::map<ESM::RefId, int> mIndex;
         std::vector<Column<ESXRecordT>*> mColumns;
 
         // not implemented
@@ -148,10 +148,6 @@ namespace CSMWorld
         ///< Change the state of a record from base to modified, if it is not already.
         ///  \return True if the record was changed.
 
-        int searchId(std::string_view id) const override;
-        ////< Search record with \a id.
-        /// \return index of record (if found) or -1 (not found)
-
         int searchId(const ESM::RefId& id) const override;
         ////< Search record with \a id.
         /// \return index of record (if found) or -1 (not found)
@@ -232,9 +228,9 @@ namespace CSMWorld
             std::move(buffer.begin(), buffer.end(), mRecords.begin() + baseIndex);
 
             // adjust index
-            for (std::map<std::string, int>::iterator iter(mIndex.begin()); iter != mIndex.end(); ++iter)
-                if (iter->second >= baseIndex && iter->second < baseIndex + size)
-                    iter->second = newOrder.at(iter->second - baseIndex) + baseIndex;
+            for (auto& [id, index] : mIndex)
+                if (index >= baseIndex && index < baseIndex + size)
+                    index = newOrder.at(index - baseIndex) + baseIndex;
         }
 
         return true;
@@ -329,9 +325,9 @@ namespace CSMWorld
     template <typename ESXRecordT, typename IdAccessorT>
     void Collection<ESXRecordT, IdAccessorT>::add(const ESXRecordT& record)
     {
-        auto id = IdAccessorT().getId(record);
+        const ESM::RefId id = IdAccessorT().getId(record);
 
-        auto iter = mIndex.find(Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase(id.getRefIdString()));
+        auto iter = mIndex.find(id);
 
         if (iter == mIndex.end())
         {
@@ -438,7 +434,7 @@ namespace CSMWorld
     {
         mRecords.erase(mRecords.begin() + index, mRecords.begin() + index + count);
 
-        typename std::map<std::string, int>::iterator iter = mIndex.begin();
+        auto iter = mIndex.begin();
 
         while (iter != mIndex.end())
         {
@@ -451,7 +447,7 @@ namespace CSMWorld
                 }
                 else
                 {
-                    mIndex.erase(iter++);
+                    iter = mIndex.erase(iter);
                 }
             }
             else
@@ -474,11 +470,9 @@ namespace CSMWorld
     }
 
     template <typename ESXRecordT, typename IdAccessorT>
-    int Collection<ESXRecordT, IdAccessorT>::searchId(std::string_view id) const
+    int Collection<ESXRecordT, IdAccessorT>::searchId(const ESM::RefId& id) const
     {
-        std::string id2 = Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase(id);
-
-        std::map<std::string, int>::const_iterator iter = mIndex.find(id2);
+        const auto iter = mIndex.find(id);
 
         if (iter == mIndex.end())
             return -1;
@@ -486,13 +480,6 @@ namespace CSMWorld
         return iter->second;
     }
 
-    template <typename ESXRecordT, typename IdAccessorT>
-    int Collection<ESXRecordT, IdAccessorT>::searchId(const ESM::RefId& id) const
-    {
-
-        return searchId(id.getRefIdString());
-    }
-
     template <typename ESXRecordT, typename IdAccessorT>
     void Collection<ESXRecordT, IdAccessorT>::replace(int index, std::unique_ptr<RecordBase> record)
     {
@@ -549,7 +536,7 @@ namespace CSMWorld
             throw std::runtime_error("index out of range");
 
         std::unique_ptr<Record<ESXRecordT>> record2(static_cast<Record<ESXRecordT>*>(record.release()));
-        std::string id = Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase(IdAccessorT().getId(record2->get()).getRefIdString());
+        ESM::RefId id = IdAccessorT().getId(record2->get());
 
         if (index == size)
             mRecords.push_back(std::move(record2));
@@ -558,10 +545,10 @@ namespace CSMWorld
 
         if (index < size - 1)
         {
-            for (std::map<std::string, int>::iterator iter(mIndex.begin()); iter != mIndex.end(); ++iter)
+            for (auto& [key, value] : mIndex)
             {
-                if (iter->second >= index)
-                    ++(iter->second);
+                if (value >= index)
+                    ++value;
             }
         }
 
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/collectionbase.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/collectionbase.cpp
index 42c0718609..e3fb3cf63c 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/collectionbase.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/collectionbase.cpp
@@ -11,9 +11,9 @@ CSMWorld::CollectionBase::CollectionBase() {}
 
 CSMWorld::CollectionBase::~CollectionBase() {}
 
-int CSMWorld::CollectionBase::getInsertIndex(const std::string& id, UniversalId::Type type, RecordBase* record) const
+int CSMWorld::CollectionBase::getInsertIndex(const ESM::RefId& id, UniversalId::Type type, RecordBase* record) const
 {
-    return getAppendIndex(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(id), type);
+    return getAppendIndex(id, type);
 }
 
 int CSMWorld::CollectionBase::searchColumnIndex(Columns::ColumnId id) const
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/collectionbase.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/collectionbase.hpp
index de3623fac0..64bfb58109 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/collectionbase.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/collectionbase.hpp
@@ -65,10 +65,6 @@ namespace CSMWorld
         virtual void appendBlankRecord(const ESM::RefId& id, UniversalId::Type type = UniversalId::Type_None) = 0;
         ///< \param type Will be ignored, unless the collection supports multiple record types
 
-        virtual int searchId(std::string_view id) const = 0;
-        ////< Search record with \a id.
-        /// \return index of record (if found) or -1 (not found)
-
         virtual int searchId(const ESM::RefId& id) const = 0;
         ////< Search record with \a id.
         /// \return index of record (if found) or -1 (not found)
@@ -107,7 +103,7 @@ namespace CSMWorld
         /// \return Success?
 
         virtual int getInsertIndex(
-            const std::string& id, UniversalId::Type type = UniversalId::Type_None, RecordBase* record = nullptr) const;
+            const ESM::RefId& id, UniversalId::Type type = UniversalId::Type_None, RecordBase* record = nullptr) const;
         ///< Works like getAppendIndex unless an overloaded method uses the record pointer
         /// to get additional info about the record that results in an alternative index.
 
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/data.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/data.cpp
index 3fe87cde40..09296b55d6 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/data.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/data.cpp
@@ -1072,13 +1072,14 @@ void CSMWorld::Data::loadFallbackEntries()
 
     std::pair<std::string, std::string> doorMarkers[] = { std::make_pair("PrisonMarker", "marker_prison.nif") };
 
-    for (const auto& marker : staticMarkers)
+    for (const auto& [id, model] : staticMarkers)
     {
-        if (mReferenceables.searchId(marker.first) == -1)
+        const ESM::RefId refId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(id);
+        if (mReferenceables.searchId(refId) == -1)
         {
             ESM::Static newMarker;
-            newMarker.mId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(marker.first);
-            newMarker.mModel = marker.second;
+            newMarker.mId = refId;
+            newMarker.mModel = model;
             newMarker.mRecordFlags = 0;
             auto record = std::make_unique<CSMWorld::Record<ESM::Static>>();
             record->mBase = newMarker;
@@ -1087,13 +1088,14 @@ void CSMWorld::Data::loadFallbackEntries()
         }
     }
 
-    for (const auto& marker : doorMarkers)
+    for (const auto& [id, model] : doorMarkers)
     {
-        if (mReferenceables.searchId(marker.first) == -1)
+        const ESM::RefId refId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(id);
+        if (mReferenceables.searchId(refId) == -1)
         {
             ESM::Door newMarker;
-            newMarker.mId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(marker.first);
-            newMarker.mModel = marker.second;
+            newMarker.mId = refId;
+            newMarker.mModel = model;
             newMarker.mRecordFlags = 0;
             auto record = std::make_unique<CSMWorld::Record<ESM::Door>>();
             record->mBase = newMarker;
@@ -1280,25 +1282,24 @@ bool CSMWorld::Data::continueLoading(CSMDoc::Messages& messages)
             bool isDeleted = false;
 
             record.load(*mReader, isDeleted);
-            const std::string& recordIdString = record.mId.getRefIdString();
 
             if (isDeleted)
             {
                 // record vector can be shuffled around which would make pointer to record invalid
                 mDialogue = nullptr;
 
-                if (mJournals.tryDelete(recordIdString))
+                if (mJournals.tryDelete(record.mId))
                 {
                     removeDialogueInfos(record.mId, mJournalInfosByTopic, mJournalInfos);
                 }
-                else if (mTopics.tryDelete(recordIdString))
+                else if (mTopics.tryDelete(record.mId))
                 {
                     removeDialogueInfos(record.mId, mTopicInfosByTopic, mTopicInfos);
                 }
                 else
                 {
                     messages.add(UniversalId::Type_None,
-                        "Trying to delete dialogue record " + recordIdString + " which does not exist", "",
+                        "Trying to delete dialogue record " + record.mId.getRefIdString() + " which does not exist", "",
                         CSMDoc::Message::Severity_Warning);
                 }
             }
@@ -1378,13 +1379,15 @@ bool CSMWorld::Data::continueLoading(CSMDoc::Messages& messages)
 
 bool CSMWorld::Data::hasId(const std::string& id) const
 {
-    return getGlobals().searchId(id) != -1 || getGmsts().searchId(id) != -1 || getSkills().searchId(id) != -1
-        || getClasses().searchId(id) != -1 || getFactions().searchId(id) != -1 || getRaces().searchId(id) != -1
-        || getSounds().searchId(id) != -1 || getScripts().searchId(id) != -1 || getRegions().searchId(id) != -1
-        || getBirthsigns().searchId(id) != -1 || getSpells().searchId(id) != -1 || getTopics().searchId(id) != -1
-        || getJournals().searchId(id) != -1 || getCells().searchId(id) != -1 || getEnchantments().searchId(id) != -1
-        || getBodyParts().searchId(id) != -1 || getSoundGens().searchId(id) != -1
-        || getMagicEffects().searchId(id) != -1 || getReferenceables().searchId(id) != -1;
+    const ESM::RefId refId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(id);
+    return getGlobals().searchId(refId) != -1 || getGmsts().searchId(refId) != -1 || getSkills().searchId(refId) != -1
+        || getClasses().searchId(refId) != -1 || getFactions().searchId(refId) != -1 || getRaces().searchId(refId) != -1
+        || getSounds().searchId(refId) != -1 || getScripts().searchId(refId) != -1 || getRegions().searchId(refId) != -1
+        || getBirthsigns().searchId(refId) != -1 || getSpells().searchId(refId) != -1
+        || getTopics().searchId(refId) != -1 || getJournals().searchId(refId) != -1 || getCells().searchId(refId) != -1
+        || getEnchantments().searchId(refId) != -1 || getBodyParts().searchId(refId) != -1
+        || getSoundGens().searchId(refId) != -1 || getMagicEffects().searchId(refId) != -1
+        || getReferenceables().searchId(refId) != -1;
 }
 
 int CSMWorld::Data::count(RecordBase::State state) const
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/idcollection.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/idcollection.hpp
index 95165b021c..2382ff3274 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/idcollection.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/idcollection.hpp
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ namespace CSMWorld
         /// \return index
         int load(const ESXRecordT& record, bool base, int index = -2);
 
-        bool tryDelete(const std::string& id);
+        bool tryDelete(const ESM::RefId& id);
         ///< Try deleting \a id. If the id does not exist or can't be deleted the call is ignored.
         ///
         /// \return Has the ID been deleted?
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ namespace CSMWorld
     }
 
     template <typename ESXRecordT, typename IdAccessorT>
-    bool IdCollection<ESXRecordT, IdAccessorT>::tryDelete(const std::string& id)
+    bool IdCollection<ESXRecordT, IdAccessorT>::tryDelete(const ESM::RefId& id)
     {
         int index = this->searchId(id);
 
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/idtable.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/idtable.cpp
index c0da8e7fac..8d2e676725 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/idtable.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/idtable.cpp
@@ -243,7 +243,8 @@ std::string CSMWorld::IdTable::getId(int row) const
 /// This method can return only indexes to the top level table cells
 QModelIndex CSMWorld::IdTable::getModelIndex(const std::string& id, int column) const
 {
-    int row = mIdCollection->searchId(id);
+    const int row = mIdCollection->searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(id));
+
     if (row != -1)
         return index(row, column);
 
@@ -253,7 +254,8 @@ QModelIndex CSMWorld::IdTable::getModelIndex(const std::string& id, int column)
 void CSMWorld::IdTable::setRecord(
     const std::string& id, std::unique_ptr<RecordBase> record, CSMWorld::UniversalId::Type type)
 {
-    int index = mIdCollection->searchId(id);
+    const ESM::RefId refId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(id);
+    const int index = mIdCollection->searchId(refId);
 
     if (index == -1)
     {
@@ -263,7 +265,7 @@ void CSMWorld::IdTable::setRecord(
         //
         // Use an alternative method to get the correct index.  For non-Info records the
         // record pointer is ignored and internally calls getAppendIndex.
-        int index2 = mIdCollection->getInsertIndex(id, type, record.get());
+        const int index2 = mIdCollection->getInsertIndex(refId, type, record.get());
 
         beginInsertRows(QModelIndex(), index2, index2);
 
@@ -377,9 +379,10 @@ CSMWorld::LandTextureIdTable::ImportResults CSMWorld::LandTextureIdTable::import
     for (const std::string& id : ids)
     {
         int plugin, index;
-
         LandTexture::parseUniqueRecordId(id, plugin, index);
-        int oldRow = idCollection()->searchId(id);
+
+        const ESM::RefId refId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(id);
+        const int oldRow = idCollection()->searchId(refId);
 
         // If it does not exist or it is in the current plugin, it can be skipped.
         if (oldRow < 0 || plugin == 0)
@@ -403,12 +406,13 @@ CSMWorld::LandTextureIdTable::ImportResults CSMWorld::LandTextureIdTable::import
         do
         {
             std::string newId = LandTexture::createUniqueRecordId(0, index);
-            int newRow = idCollection()->searchId(newId);
+            const ESM::RefId newRefId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(newId);
+            int newRow = idCollection()->searchId(newRefId);
 
             if (newRow < 0)
             {
                 // Id not taken, clone it
-                cloneRecord(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(id), ESM::RefId::stringRefId(newId), UniversalId::Type_LandTexture);
+                cloneRecord(refId, newRefId, UniversalId::Type_LandTexture);
                 results.createdRecords.push_back(newId);
                 results.recordMapping.emplace_back(id, newId);
                 reverseLookupMap.emplace(texture, newId);
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/infocollection.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/infocollection.cpp
index b06f7d05f8..3343275b4d 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/infocollection.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/infocollection.cpp
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 
 bool CSMWorld::InfoCollection::load(const Info& record, bool base)
 {
-    int index = searchId(record.mId.getRefIdString());
+    const int index = searchId(record.mId);
 
     if (index == -1)
     {
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ void CSMWorld::InfoCollection::load(
     bool isDeleted = false;
 
     info.load(reader, isDeleted);
-    std::string id = dialogue.mId.getRefIdString() + "#" + info.mId.getRefIdString();
+    const ESM::RefId id = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(dialogue.mId.getRefIdString() + "#" + info.mId.getRefIdString());
 
     if (isDeleted)
     {
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ void CSMWorld::InfoCollection::load(
     {
         info.mTopicId = dialogue.mId;
         info.mOriginalId = info.mId;
-        info.mId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(id);
+        info.mId = id;
 
         if (load(info, base))
             infosByTopic[dialogue.mId].push_back(info.mId);
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/refidcollection.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/refidcollection.cpp
index d3e16188e7..0685471463 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/refidcollection.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/refidcollection.cpp
@@ -725,9 +725,9 @@ void CSMWorld::RefIdCollection::appendBlankRecord(const ESM::RefId& id, Universa
     mData.appendRecord(type, id, false);
 }
 
-int CSMWorld::RefIdCollection::searchId(std::string_view id) const
+int CSMWorld::RefIdCollection::searchId(const ESM::RefId& id) const
 {
-    RefIdData::LocalIndex localIndex = mData.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(id));
+    const RefIdData::LocalIndex localIndex = mData.searchId(id);
 
     if (localIndex.first == -1)
         return -1;
@@ -735,11 +735,6 @@ int CSMWorld::RefIdCollection::searchId(std::string_view id) const
     return mData.localToGlobalIndex(localIndex);
 }
 
-int CSMWorld::RefIdCollection::searchId(const ESM::RefId& id) const
-{
-    return searchId(id.getRefIdString());
-}
-
 void CSMWorld::RefIdCollection::replace(int index, std::unique_ptr<RecordBase> record)
 {
     mData.getRecord(mData.globalToLocalIndex(index)).assign(*record.release());
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/refidcollection.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/refidcollection.hpp
index 45e3a65223..10892535cf 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/refidcollection.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/refidcollection.hpp
@@ -89,10 +89,6 @@ namespace CSMWorld
         void appendBlankRecord(const ESM::RefId& id, UniversalId::Type type) override;
         ///< \param type Will be ignored, unless the collection supports multiple record types
 
-        int searchId(std::string_view id) const override;
-        ////< Search record with \a id.
-        /// \return index of record (if found) or -1 (not found)
-
         int searchId(const ESM::RefId& id) const override;
         ////< Search record with \a id.
         /// \return index of record (if found) or -1 (not found)
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/scriptcontext.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/scriptcontext.cpp
index da762d6226..7f554a75af 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/scriptcontext.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/scriptcontext.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ bool CSMWorld::ScriptContext::canDeclareLocals() const
 
 char CSMWorld::ScriptContext::getGlobalType(const std::string& name) const
 {
-    int index = mData.getGlobals().searchId(name);
+    const int index = mData.getGlobals().searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(name));
 
     if (index != -1)
     {
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/render/actor.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/render/actor.cpp
index c85a484e67..803299bd25 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/render/actor.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/render/actor.cpp
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ namespace CSVRender
     {
         const auto& bodyParts = mData.getBodyParts();
 
-        int index = bodyParts.searchId(bodyPartId);
+        const int index = bodyParts.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(bodyPartId));
         if (index != -1 && !bodyParts.getRecord(index).isDeleted())
             return MeshPrefix + bodyParts.getRecord(index).get().mModel;
         else
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/render/cellwater.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/render/cellwater.cpp
index 7fe72f282c..7589f2c1fc 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/render/cellwater.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/render/cellwater.cpp
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ namespace CSVRender
         mWaterGroup = new osg::Group();
         mWaterTransform->addChild(mWaterGroup);
 
-        int cellIndex = mData.getCells().searchId(mId);
+        const int cellIndex = mData.getCells().searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mId));
         if (cellIndex > -1)
         {
             updateCellData(mData.getCells().getRecord(cellIndex));
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/render/instancemode.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/render/instancemode.cpp
index 30d77052f9..e0f05c2fab 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/render/instancemode.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/render/instancemode.cpp
@@ -965,7 +965,7 @@ void CSVRender::InstanceMode::dropEvent(QDropEvent* event)
         CSMWorld::IdTree& cellTable
             = dynamic_cast<CSMWorld::IdTree&>(*document.getData().getTableModel(CSMWorld::UniversalId::Type_Cells));
 
-        bool noCell = document.getData().getCells().searchId(cellId) == -1;
+        const bool noCell = document.getData().getCells().searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cellId)) == -1;
 
         if (noCell)
         {
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/render/pagedworldspacewidget.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/render/pagedworldspacewidget.cpp
index 64be1f32a4..2ca2afe128 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/render/pagedworldspacewidget.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/render/pagedworldspacewidget.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ bool CSVRender::PagedWorldspaceWidget::adjustCells()
             else
             {
                 // update
-                int index = cells.searchId(iter->first.getId(mWorldspace));
+                const int index = cells.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(iter->first.getId(mWorldspace)));
 
                 bool deleted = index == -1 || cells.getRecord(index).mState == CSMWorld::RecordBase::State_Deleted;
 
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ void CSVRender::PagedWorldspaceWidget::addCellToScene(const CSMWorld::CellCoordi
 {
     const CSMWorld::IdCollection<CSMWorld::Cell>& cells = mDocument.getData().getCells();
 
-    int index = cells.searchId(coordinates.getId(mWorldspace));
+    const int index = cells.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(coordinates.getId(mWorldspace)));
 
     bool deleted = index == -1 || cells.getRecord(index).mState == CSMWorld::RecordBase::State_Deleted;
 
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/render/terrainselection.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/render/terrainselection.cpp
index 030d441c9b..bdeb1a0958 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/render/terrainselection.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/render/terrainselection.cpp
@@ -296,14 +296,14 @@ bool CSVRender::TerrainSelection::noCell(const std::string& cellId)
 {
     CSMDoc::Document& document = mWorldspaceWidget->getDocument();
     const CSMWorld::IdCollection<CSMWorld::Cell>& cellCollection = document.getData().getCells();
-    return cellCollection.searchId(cellId) == -1;
+    return cellCollection.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cellId)) == -1;
 }
 
 bool CSVRender::TerrainSelection::noLand(const std::string& cellId)
 {
     CSMDoc::Document& document = mWorldspaceWidget->getDocument();
     const CSMWorld::IdCollection<CSMWorld::Land>& landCollection = document.getData().getLand();
-    return landCollection.searchId(cellId) == -1;
+    return landCollection.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cellId)) == -1;
 }
 
 bool CSVRender::TerrainSelection::noLandLoaded(const std::string& cellId)
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/render/terrainshapemode.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/render/terrainshapemode.cpp
index 36da957270..3c4a1e5570 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/render/terrainshapemode.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/render/terrainshapemode.cpp
@@ -1326,14 +1326,14 @@ bool CSVRender::TerrainShapeMode::noCell(const std::string& cellId)
 {
     CSMDoc::Document& document = getWorldspaceWidget().getDocument();
     const CSMWorld::IdCollection<CSMWorld::Cell>& cellCollection = document.getData().getCells();
-    return cellCollection.searchId(cellId) == -1;
+    return cellCollection.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cellId)) == -1;
 }
 
 bool CSVRender::TerrainShapeMode::noLand(const std::string& cellId)
 {
     CSMDoc::Document& document = getWorldspaceWidget().getDocument();
     const CSMWorld::IdCollection<CSMWorld::Land>& landCollection = document.getData().getLand();
-    return landCollection.searchId(cellId) == -1;
+    return landCollection.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cellId)) == -1;
 }
 
 bool CSVRender::TerrainShapeMode::noLandLoaded(const std::string& cellId)
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/render/terrainstorage.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/render/terrainstorage.cpp
index 0fccd08193..da9c00e33b 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/render/terrainstorage.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/render/terrainstorage.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ namespace CSVRender
     {
         // The cell isn't guaranteed to have Land. This is because the terrain implementation
         // has to wrap the vertices of the last row and column to the next cell, which may be a nonexisting cell
-        int index = mData.getLand().searchId(CSMWorld::Land::createUniqueRecordId(cellX, cellY));
+        const int index
+            = mData.getLand().searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(CSMWorld::Land::createUniqueRecordId(cellX, cellY)));
         if (index == -1)
             return nullptr;
 
@@ -43,7 +44,8 @@ namespace CSVRender
 
     const ESM::LandTexture* TerrainStorage::getLandTexture(int index, short plugin)
     {
-        int row = mData.getLandTextures().searchId(CSMWorld::LandTexture::createUniqueRecordId(plugin, index));
+        const int row = mData.getLandTextures().searchId(
+            ESM::RefId::stringRefId(CSMWorld::LandTexture::createUniqueRecordId(plugin, index)));
         if (row == -1)
             return nullptr;
 
@@ -65,7 +67,8 @@ namespace CSVRender
     {
         float height = 0.f;
 
-        int index = mData.getLand().searchId(CSMWorld::Land::createUniqueRecordId(cellX, cellY));
+        const int index
+            = mData.getLand().searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(CSMWorld::Land::createUniqueRecordId(cellX, cellY)));
         if (index == -1) // no land!
             return height;
 
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/render/terraintexturemode.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/render/terraintexturemode.cpp
index 97f81e2511..dfac049acb 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/render/terraintexturemode.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/render/terraintexturemode.cpp
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ void CSVRender::TerrainTextureMode::primaryEditPressed(const WorldspaceHitResult
 
     QUndoStack& undoStack = document.getUndoStack();
     CSMWorld::IdCollection<CSMWorld::LandTexture>& landtexturesCollection = document.getData().getLandTextures();
-    int index = landtexturesCollection.searchId(mBrushTexture);
+    int index = landtexturesCollection.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mBrushTexture));
 
     if (index != -1 && !landtexturesCollection.getRecord(index).isDeleted() && hit.hit && hit.tag == nullptr)
     {
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ bool CSVRender::TerrainTextureMode::primaryEditStartDrag(const QPoint& pos)
     mDragMode = InteractionType_PrimaryEdit;
 
     CSMWorld::IdCollection<CSMWorld::LandTexture>& landtexturesCollection = document.getData().getLandTextures();
-    int index = landtexturesCollection.searchId(mBrushTexture);
+    const int index = landtexturesCollection.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mBrushTexture));
 
     if (index != -1 && !landtexturesCollection.getRecord(index).isDeleted() && hit.hit && hit.tag == nullptr)
     {
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ void CSVRender::TerrainTextureMode::drag(const QPoint& pos, int diffX, int diffY
         CSMDoc::Document& document = getWorldspaceWidget().getDocument();
 
         CSMWorld::IdCollection<CSMWorld::LandTexture>& landtexturesCollection = document.getData().getLandTextures();
-        int index = landtexturesCollection.searchId(mBrushTexture);
+        const int index = landtexturesCollection.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mBrushTexture));
 
         if (index != -1 && !landtexturesCollection.getRecord(index).isDeleted() && hit.hit && hit.tag == nullptr)
         {
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ void CSVRender::TerrainTextureMode::dragCompleted(const QPoint& pos)
         QUndoStack& undoStack = document.getUndoStack();
 
         CSMWorld::IdCollection<CSMWorld::LandTexture>& landtexturesCollection = document.getData().getLandTextures();
-        int index = landtexturesCollection.searchId(mBrushTexture);
+        const int index = landtexturesCollection.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mBrushTexture));
 
         if (index != -1 && !landtexturesCollection.getRecord(index).isDeleted())
         {
@@ -718,8 +718,9 @@ bool CSVRender::TerrainTextureMode::allowLandTextureEditing(std::string cellId)
     CSMWorld::IdTree& cellTable
         = dynamic_cast<CSMWorld::IdTree&>(*document.getData().getTableModel(CSMWorld::UniversalId::Type_Cells));
 
-    bool noCell = document.getData().getCells().searchId(cellId) == -1;
-    bool noLand = document.getData().getLand().searchId(cellId) == -1;
+    const ESM::RefId cellRefId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cellId);
+    const bool noCell = document.getData().getCells().searchId(cellRefId) == -1;
+    const bool noLand = document.getData().getLand().searchId(cellRefId) == -1;
 
     if (noCell)
     {
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/widget/scenetooltexturebrush.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/widget/scenetooltexturebrush.cpp
index 51149b36ad..cc372753f6 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/widget/scenetooltexturebrush.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/widget/scenetooltexturebrush.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ CSVWidget::TextureBrushWindow::TextureBrushWindow(CSMDoc::Document& document, QW
     CSMWorld::IdCollection<CSMWorld::LandTexture>& landtexturesCollection = mDocument.getData().getLandTextures();
 
     int landTextureFilename = landtexturesCollection.findColumnIndex(CSMWorld::Columns::ColumnId_Texture);
-    int index = landtexturesCollection.searchId(mBrushTexture);
+    const int index = landtexturesCollection.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mBrushTexture));
 
     if (index != -1 && !landtexturesCollection.getRecord(index).isDeleted())
     {
@@ -164,9 +164,11 @@ void CSVWidget::TextureBrushWindow::setBrushTexture(std::string brushTexture)
     int index = 0;
     int pluginInDragged = 0;
     CSMWorld::LandTexture::parseUniqueRecordId(brushTexture, pluginInDragged, index);
+    const ESM::RefId brushTextureRefId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(brushTexture);
     std::string newBrushTextureId = CSMWorld::LandTexture::createUniqueRecordId(0, index);
-    int rowInBase = landtexturesCollection.searchId(brushTexture);
-    int rowInNew = landtexturesCollection.searchId(newBrushTextureId);
+    ESM::RefId newBrushTextureRefId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(newBrushTextureId);
+    int rowInBase = landtexturesCollection.searchId(brushTextureRefId);
+    int rowInNew = landtexturesCollection.searchId(newBrushTextureRefId);
 
     // Check if texture exists in current plugin, and clone if id found in base, otherwise reindex the texture
     // TO-DO: Handle case when texture is not found in neither base or plugin properly (finding new index is not enough)
@@ -181,10 +183,11 @@ void CSVWidget::TextureBrushWindow::setBrushTexture(std::string brushTexture)
             do
             {
                 newBrushTextureId = CSMWorld::LandTexture::createUniqueRecordId(0, counter);
-                if (landtexturesCollection.searchId(brushTexture) != -1
-                    && landtexturesCollection.getRecord(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(brushTexture)).isDeleted() == 0
-                    && landtexturesCollection.searchId(newBrushTextureId) != -1
-                    && landtexturesCollection.getRecord(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(newBrushTextureId)).isDeleted() == 0)
+                newBrushTextureRefId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(newBrushTextureId);
+                if (landtexturesCollection.searchId(brushTextureRefId) != -1
+                    && landtexturesCollection.getRecord(brushTextureRefId).isDeleted() == 0
+                    && landtexturesCollection.searchId(newBrushTextureRefId) != -1
+                    && landtexturesCollection.getRecord(newBrushTextureRefId).isDeleted() == 0)
                     counter = (counter + 1) % maxCounter;
                 else
                     freeIndexFound = true;
@@ -307,7 +310,7 @@ void CSVWidget::SceneToolTextureBrush::setButtonIcon(CSVWidget::BrushShape brush
     CSMWorld::IdCollection<CSMWorld::LandTexture>& landtexturesCollection = mDocument.getData().getLandTextures();
 
     int landTextureFilename = landtexturesCollection.findColumnIndex(CSMWorld::Columns::ColumnId_Texture);
-    int index = landtexturesCollection.searchId(mTextureBrushWindow->mBrushTexture);
+    const int index = landtexturesCollection.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mTextureBrushWindow->mBrushTexture));
 
     if (index != -1 && !landtexturesCollection.getRecord(index).isDeleted())
     {
@@ -339,7 +342,7 @@ void CSVWidget::SceneToolTextureBrush::updatePanel()
     {
         CSMWorld::IdCollection<CSMWorld::LandTexture>& landtexturesCollection = mDocument.getData().getLandTextures();
         int landTextureFilename = landtexturesCollection.findColumnIndex(CSMWorld::Columns::ColumnId_Texture);
-        int index = landtexturesCollection.searchId(mBrushHistory[i]);
+        const int index = landtexturesCollection.searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mBrushHistory[i]));
 
         if (index != -1 && !landtexturesCollection.getRecord(index).isDeleted())
         {
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/world/infocreator.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/world/infocreator.cpp
index cdea2b27f9..c8f92630f3 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/world/infocreator.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/world/infocreator.cpp
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ std::string CSVWorld::InfoCreator::getErrors() const
     // We ignore errors from GenericCreator here, because they can never happen in an InfoCreator.
     std::string errors;
 
-    std::string topic = mTopic->text().toUtf8().constData();
+    const ESM::RefId topic = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mTopic->text().toStdString());
 
     if ((getCollectionId().getType() == CSMWorld::UniversalId::Type_TopicInfos ? getData().getTopics()
                                                                                : getData().getJournals())
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/world/landcreator.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/world/landcreator.cpp
index bc8d4d2d06..5ba2de603e 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/world/landcreator.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/world/landcreator.cpp
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ namespace CSVWorld
 
     std::string LandCreator::getErrors() const
     {
-        if (getData().getLand().searchId(getId()) >= 0)
+        if (getData().getLand().searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(getId())) >= 0)
             return "A land with that name already exists.";
 
         return "";
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/world/landtexturecreator.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/world/landtexturecreator.cpp
index f82a6a1298..a46e5b6dbe 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/world/landtexturecreator.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/world/landtexturecreator.cpp
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ namespace CSVWorld
 
     std::string LandTextureCreator::getErrors() const
     {
-        if (getData().getLandTextures().searchId(getId()) >= 0)
+        if (getData().getLandTextures().searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(getId())) >= 0)
         {
             return "Index is already in use";
         }
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/world/pathgridcreator.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/world/pathgridcreator.cpp
index 582ef46e9d..51c3b1d282 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/world/pathgridcreator.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/world/pathgridcreator.cpp
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ void CSVWorld::PathgridCreator::cloneMode(const std::string& originId, const CSM
 
 std::string CSVWorld::PathgridCreator::getErrors() const
 {
-    std::string cellId = getId();
+    const ESM::RefId cellId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(getId());
 
     // Check user input for any errors.
     std::string errors;
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/world/previewsubview.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/world/previewsubview.cpp
index b2148d5ee0..73ecb2157a 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/world/previewsubview.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/world/previewsubview.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ CSVWorld::PreviewSubView::PreviewSubView(const CSMWorld::UniversalId& id, CSMDoc
 {
     QHBoxLayout* layout = new QHBoxLayout;
 
-    if (document.getData().getReferenceables().searchId(id.getId()) == -1)
+    if (document.getData().getReferenceables().searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(id.getId())) == -1)
     {
         std::string referenceableId = document.getData()
                                           .getReferences()
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/world/referencecreator.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/world/referencecreator.cpp
index 9228f0f87a..925ae53789 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/world/referencecreator.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/world/referencecreator.cpp
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ std::string CSVWorld::ReferenceCreator::getErrors() const
     // record is internal and requires neither user input nor verification.
     std::string errors;
 
-    std::string cell = mCell->text().toUtf8().constData();
+    const ESM::RefId cell = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mCell->text().toStdString());
 
     if (cell.empty())
         errors += "Missing Cell ID";
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/world/startscriptcreator.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/world/startscriptcreator.cpp
index 8145438039..fcbbc76159 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/world/startscriptcreator.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/world/startscriptcreator.cpp
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ void CSVWorld::StartScriptCreator::cloneMode(const std::string& originId, const
 
 std::string CSVWorld::StartScriptCreator::getErrors() const
 {
-    std::string scriptId = getId();
+    const ESM::RefId scriptId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(getId());
 
     // Check user input for any errors.
     std::string errors;
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/world/table.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/world/table.cpp
index 035be5ffa2..80f0c33cec 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/world/table.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/world/table.cpp
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ void CSVWorld::Table::contextMenuEvent(QContextMenuEvent* event)
         {
             CSMWorld::UniversalId id = mModel->view(row).first;
 
-            int index = mDocument.getData().getCells().searchId(id.getId());
+            const int index = mDocument.getData().getCells().searchId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(id.getId()));
             // index==-1: the ID references a worldspace instead of a cell (ignore for now and go
             // ahead)