Search functionality within slicer

Hi SSirozza ,

Power BI’s slicer search only matches continuous text, not separated words.

That’s why “Bill” or “Gates” works, but “Bill Gates” does not — the engine does not support multi-keyword or fuzzy search.

-> What you can do

1. Add a helper search column

Example:

SearchKey = SUBSTITUTE([FullName], " ", "")

Or concatenate different name parts to widen match options.

Use this column in the slicer.

2. Use a custom visual with better search

Smart Filter Pro, Hierarchy Slicer, etc., support multi-word search like “Bill Gates”.

-> Not possible

You cannot change the default slicer to support multi-keyword search.

Best regards!

Hey SSirozza ,

The search box inside a native Power BI slicer only supports simple substring search. It matches the exact sequence of characters you type, in the same order, inside the field. That’s why,

"Bill", "William", "Henry", "Gates", or "William Henry" work but "Bill Gates" does not match "Bill William Henry Gates", because that exact text doesn’t exist in the string.

At the moment, Power BI does not let us change or extend this behavior even with DAX measures ca not access the text you type into the slicer’s search box. So multi-keyword search like "Bill + Gates" across non-adjacent words is not supported natively.

Workarounds:

1) Data modelling workaround: Add a separate column like SearchName that stores the common search pattern, such as just FirstName + " " + LastName. Use that column in the slicer. Then typing Bill Gates works because it exactly matches the stored value.

2) Custom visuals: Use a marketplace visual that supports more advanced search which can handle multiple words or fuzzy matching.

Example: Smart Filter Pro, Attribute Slicer, Text Filter etc. 

Best Regards,
Nasif Azam