Target point recognition method for an automatic search of target points (2', 3', 4a', 4b', 4c', 5') in a surveying environment in advance of a precise measurement of these points, wherein an angle, in particular a horizontal and a vertical angle, to the target points (2', 3', 4a', 4b', 4c', 5') is measured with a surveying instrument, the surveying instrument comprising means for measuring angles, a camera and processing means for data storing and controlling the following steps in an automated manner after starting the search: • a scanning procedure with □ emitting electromagnetic radiation in form of a scanning beam, in particular in the form of a laser fan, to illuminate targets (2, 3, 4a, 4b, 4c, 5), □ moving the scanning beam within a predetermined angular range in order to scan the surveying environment, □ detecting reflections of the electromagnetic radiation on the targets (3, 4a, 4b, 4c), wherein the targets (3, 4a, 4b, 4c) are defining the target points (3', 4a', 4b', 4c'), and □ determining the angle to the target points (3', 4a', 4b', 4c'), • a capturing procedure with □ capturing an overall image of the surveying environment, wherein the overall image comprises at least one single image taken by the camera, in particular comprising several images stitched together to a panoramic view, and □ detecting target points (2', 5') and determining their angle on the overall image by image processing by matching targets (2, 5) with one or more predetermined search criteria, wherein the search criteria at least provide to detect a target representing a predetermined structure or pattern, • storing the target points (2', 3', 4a', 4b', 4c', 5') together with their angle in a data base, and • displaying the overall image together with marks (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) for indicating a position of the target points (2', 3', 4a', 4b', 4c', 5') detected within the scanning procedure and the capturing procedure in the overall image, characterized in that • the scanning procedure and the capturing procedure are - as sub-procedures - part of a recognition process for detecting the target points (2', 3', 4a', 4b', 4c', 5') and • the target points (2', 3', 4a', 4b', 4c', 5') are displayed by using different marks (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) in dependency of the sub-procedure of the recognition process with which the target point (2', 3', 4a', 4b', 4c', 5') has been recognized. • a scanning procedure with □ emitting electromagnetic radiation in form of a scanning beam, in particular in the form of a laser fan, to illuminate targets (2, 3, 4a, 4b, 4c, 5), □ moving the scanning beam within a predetermined angular range in order to scan the surveying environment, □ detecting reflections of the electromagnetic radiation on the targets (3, 4a, 4b, 4c), wherein the targets (3, 4a, 4b, 4c) are defining the target points (3', 4a', 4b', 4c'), and □ determining the angle to the target points (3', 4a', 4b', 4c'), □ emitting electromagnetic radiation in form of a scanning beam, in particular in the form of a laser fan, to illuminate targets (2, 3, 4a, 4b, 4c, 5), □ moving the scanning beam within a predetermined angular range in order to scan the surveying environment, □ detecting reflections of the electromagnetic radiation on the targets (3, 4a, 4b, 4c), wherein the targets (3, 4a, 4b, 4c) are defining the target points (3', 4a', 4b', 4c'), and □ determining the angle to the target points (3', 4a', 4b', 4c'), • a capturing procedure with □ capturing an overall image of the surveying environment, wherein the overall image comprises at least one single image taken by the camera, in particular comprising several images stitched together to a panoramic view, and □ detecting target points (2', 5') and determining their angle on the overall image by image processing by matching targets (2, 5) with one or more predetermined search criteria, wherein the search criteria at least provide to detect a target representing a predetermined structure or pattern, □ capturing an overall image of the surveying environment, wherein the overall image comprises at least one single image taken by the camera, in particular comprising several images stitched together to a panoramic view, and □ detecting target points (2', 5') and determining their angle on the overall image by image processing by matching targets (2, 5) with one or more predetermined search criteria, wherein the search criteria at least provide to detect a target representing a predetermined structure or pattern, • storing the target points (2', 3', 4a', 4b', 4c', 5') together with their angle in a data base, and • displaying the overall image together with marks (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) for indicating a position of the target points (2', 3', 4a', 4b', 4c', 5') detected within the scanning procedure and the capturing procedure in the overall image, characterized in that • the scanning procedure and the capturing procedure are - as sub-procedures - part of a recognition process for detecting the target points (2', 3', 4a', 4b', 4c', 5') and • the target points (2', 3', 4a', 4b', 4c', 5') are displayed by using different marks (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) in dependency of the sub-procedure of the recognition process with which the target point (2', 3', 4a', 4b', 4c', 5') has been recognized.