Multiple search options

[Matt_Nold]

Hi all, 

I am trying to create a search tool that allows users to enter up to 4 terms, with the ability to choose and/or between search fields A&B, and C&D, and additionally and/or between the AB and CD requirements are met.  These will be searching a large concatonated free text field with endless options, so a table of search options won't work.  I think I understand how the disconected tables can do the and/or options, but is there anyway to create a free text entry for the end user that I can then incorporate into my DAX without using Power Apps?  My end users have the free version of PBI, and cannot refresh the semantic model.

Picture below of how we built this in Tableau and how we are hoping it can work in PBI.

Thanks, 

Matt

[danextian]

Hi @Matt_Nold 

The only slicer that supports free-text entry is the Text slicer, as @Greg_Deckler  mentioned. You can use multiple text slicers, but they’ll all behave as AND filters. With other slicer types, you can build an OR filter using a disconnected table, but that still requires the user to choose predefined values—so no free-text input.

[Matt_Nold]

Thanks Dane.  I did find that you can set the Preview Text Slicer to allow multiple values as an OR.  It's not exactly how I hoped it would work, but multiple text slicers with at least one set to allow multiple values gets me close.  

[Praful_Potphode]

Hi @Matt_Nold ,

For this we will need to create 7 Disconnected tables.

3 tables will have AND/OR as values.

the other 4 will have words then using measure you will have to manipulate the output.

I have tried one approach in the sample pbix file.

Please check it.

please give kudos or mark it as solution once confirmed.

Thanks and Regards,

Praful

[Matt_Nold]

Thanks Praful, but I can't do tables with word to select, I am working with free text healthcare data so the possible things my users want to search is nearly limitless.

[Praful_Potphode]

Hi @Matt_Nold ,

what you can try next create a duplicate copy of the search text column and then replace space with special character(for example ~).then create a measure which will give 1 or 0 depending on the word found using CONTAINSSTRING. and add measure to a table.

Thanks and regards,

Praful

[Greg_Deckler · Accepted solution]

@Matt_Nold The only default visual that allows free text entry that I know of is the Q&A visual and PowerApps visual but I don't think that the Q&A visual is really useable in the way you want. You could try third party visuals like the Text search slicer or the preview Text slicer.

[Matt_Nold]

Thanks Greg, I did try the text search slicer, It didn't help with pulling the search terms into a calculation.