# š¤ How to: Search multiple collections with one search bar (or more efficiently structure data)? (w/video)
**URL:** https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-to-search-multiple-collections-with-one-search-bar-or-more-efficiently-structure-data-w-video/64170
**Category:** Ask for Help
**Created:** [July 20, 2023, 1:31pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-to-search-multiple-collections-with-one-search-bar-or-more-efficiently-structure-data-w-video/64170 "2023-07-20T13:31:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@JamieErvin](https://community.glideapps.com/u/JamieErvin)
#### Post date: [July 20, 2023, 1:31pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-to-search-multiple-collections-with-one-search-bar-or-more-efficiently-structure-data-w-video/64170/1 "2023-07-20T13:31:50Z")
Hello!
I have three data tables (and will need to add 2 more) that require slightly different math computations.
The goal is to have ONE search bar for all entries when itās time to edit.
My original table had all three of these but it required too much scrolling. This way is more efficient for now.
Thanks
[COMPONENTsearch - TechSmith Screencast](https://app.screencast.com/A11aRwMEBJCPP?conversation=dIyQUtnsvPxwz7zGSpXWJI)
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### Author:  [@Curtis](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Curtis)
#### Post date: [July 20, 2023, 1:36pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-to-search-multiple-collections-with-one-search-bar-or-more-efficiently-structure-data-w-video/64170/2 "2023-07-20T13:36:17Z")
Made a similar feature request here - [Single Search](https://community.glideapps.com/t/single-search/63456)
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### Author:  [@Jeff\_Hager](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Jeff_Hager)
#### Post date: [July 20, 2023, 1:46pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-to-search-multiple-collections-with-one-search-bar-or-more-efficiently-structure-data-w-video/64170/3 "2023-07-20T13:46:00Z")
This could be useful for organizing multiple columns in your table if you want to merge everything back into a single table. Column groups can be expanded and collapsed, and can help when using the column search.
> **[Introduction to the Data Editor](https://www.glideapps.com/docs/getting-started/introduction-to-the-data-editor)**
>
> The Data Editor is where you manage your app's data.
> [@JamieErvin](#):
>
> The goal is to have ONE search bar
Your only option right now is to build your own search functionally.
Essentially you would need a text entry component that fills a user specific column. Then you use a single value column to bring that search value into all tables. Then an IF column, or series of IF columns would be used to compare your single value column to all columns you want to search. The IF column could be set up to return ātrueā when there is a match. Finally filter your collections where the IF is true.
Itās a decent alternative, but will eat into your update count as you are updating the user specific column in real time as you type.
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### Author:  [@JamieErvin](https://community.glideapps.com/u/JamieErvin)
#### Post date: [July 20, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-to-search-multiple-collections-with-one-search-bar-or-more-efficiently-structure-data-w-video/64170/4 "2023-07-20T15:31:44Z")
> [@Jeff\_Hager](#):
>
> This could be useful for organizing multiple columns in your table if you want to merge everything back into a single table. Column groups can be expanded and collapsed, and can help when using the column search.
Thanks! I actually do use the grouping in the data tables, but these tables get very big, very quick. lol
š¤Another option: Have just one table and use the search field for the groupings as a āfilterā. That can give me just the sections I need.
Thanks for the reply.
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### Author:  [@JamieErvin](https://community.glideapps.com/u/JamieErvin)
#### Post date: [July 20, 2023, 9:03pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-to-search-multiple-collections-with-one-search-bar-or-more-efficiently-structure-data-w-video/64170/5 "2023-07-20T21:03:12Z")
Voted. š