Is it possible to search for more than one value or a combination of values

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1

The search works fine if I enter a single value, or start typing a single value. But I need to be able to search for a combination, such as size + manufacturer. Possible?

2

Yes, it’s possible.

Would you want two separate search boxes - one for size and another for manufacturer?
Or would you want to do it with a single search box?

If a single search box, what would be your expectation of how that would work?
Can you give some examples?

3

Hi Darren.
Much appreciate your super quick response.

Typically (selling tyres) we would wat to allow for a value such as “2055516” and a space and then “MICHELIN”, or any variation of the 2, for example “20555 MICH”. (with out the “” of course)
Does this help?

4

Okay, so you’d need to create a custom search for that. At a high level, this is how it would work:

  • Capture the entered text in a User Specific column
  • Use a Single Value column to apply the text to all rows in your Tyres table
  • Split the text into two separate search terms, using one of the text plugins
  • Use an if-then-else column to compare each to your actual data - return true for anything that matches either term
  • Then the if-then-else column can be used to filter an Inline List
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5

Hi Darren.
Many thanks.
We’ll run with this and let you know how it works.
Very confident.
All the best
C

6

Another thought that still uses the built in search bar, is to create a template column that joins your searchable text with every possible combination of search terms. Then add that template column value to your items detail screen using a text component or rich text component. Then the native search should work.

You should be able to “hide” the new component using visibility and/or html in the rich text so it’s not visible on the item details screen, but will remain searchable using the native search bar.

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7

To be honest, I did consider suggesting this option, but it occurred to me that it could become a bit tedious to setup and maintain :thinking:

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8

Yeah, I think either method is less than ideal.

The hard part about my method is trying to figure out all possible combinations of words that a user would search for, and the different ways they could type it.

I think one thing I would change with your method is to not split the text, but just go straight to the IF columns and use an INCLUDES, but I guess that all depends on how the data is set up.

One of those things where I’d have to have the situation in front of me to determine which method to use.

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9

Hi Jeff, Darren

Thank you both

It’s easy for us to offer ONLY 2 options: size and manufacturer

I can easily create the combination for every item in the catalogue, and there will be plenty of each value.

Any particular separator in the 2 value column?

Best

G

10

If you’re asking about the separator between fields for the template column, then anything would do. Whatever you feel your users would be most familiar with. It can be just a space, or a hyphen.

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