I have a rca r401a1 universal remote i am trying to get to control a APEX television set, no longer have universal codes

Codes to check with Apex brand TVs are: 0036 0037. Try these codes. If you wish to get more details; check the sites linked here. It has set-up code list & set-up procedure to many popular brand remote controls. Common set-up codes to check with TVs and other devices are given, in the order of the "device's brand name list" in alphabetical order. Pull up older posts. Surf the site with patience. Surf the sites by type in the brand name to your set, in its search box.
http://electro-medical.blogspot.com/
http://remotesearch.blogspot.com/
http://electrohelponline.blogspot.com/
If the above said codes do not work with your TV, refer these sites. You can get many codes for Apex TV, with different brand remote controls. Try them.

Set-up (Programming) procedure is too much to type in here, and is not practical and it will differ brand-to-brand remote controls. If you wish to get more; check the site linked here. It has set-up code list & set-up procedure to many popular brand remote controls. Pull up older posts.
http://electrohelponline.blogspot.com/
http://remotesearch.blogspot.com/

Check this code. 0436

Hello
You are seeking codes with RCA systemlink-3 remote control to Apex TV. Unfortunately, there is no setup codes for Apex Tv with this remote control. It is very difficult to gat a remote control that has setup codes for Apex Tv.
Comcast On demand custom-3 universal remote control has codes for Apex.
Codes are :
0748, 0765, 0767
OK.

Hello
Setup codes for Apex tV with "Comcast Ondemand Custome-3 Universal" remote control are:
0748, 0765, 0767
Setup codes with RCA RCR 3273N universal remote control are:
10156, 10748, 10879, 10765
OK.

If it's not on the list, try the "search for correct code section" on the manual

how can i program a rca remote without a code search button to a apex digital converter cable box

With your model number at hand, check the RCA website for a later code list. If you are the exception, you might find one.
Most all remotes have a 'search' function that lets you scan through all of the available code sets but this feature will, in most cases, provide only minimal functionality such as Power, Volume and Channel.
In truth, there isn't any such thing as a 'universal' remote, including the 'learning' remotes; I have one of those and it is unable to 'learn' from either of my later sets' remotes. At best, these should be called (honestly) 'multi-brand.'  

I need Rca universal remote program code for Apex television

To get the code list, more imformation is needed. The brand and model of your universal remote is necessary, and also the moddel of your Apex TV may help. Let me know and I'll try to get the proper information to you.
Ed
NC Electronic
Mills, Wyoming