Search functionality within slicer

[SSirozza]

Hi Team,

I use slicer with search capability turned on to allow for browsing names within data model.

The issue im facing is that the search only returns matches in case i completely follow the string.

Here is an example: The name of the user in the system is Bill William Henry Gates.

1. If i search with 'Bill', 'William, 'Henry' or 'Gates' only - i get this name in the dropdown

2. If i search in any chronological order e.g. 'William Henry' or 'Bill William' - i get this name in the dropdown

But if i 'break the string' e.g. 'Bill Gates' -> the name is not visible in the search dropdown.

Any feasible solution to it? 

In theory it looked simple to me, but i cant solve it in practice 🙂

Thank you all for your help! 

[Mauro89 · Accepted solution]

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!

[SSirozza]

Thank you @Nasif_Azam and @Mauro89 . I am accepting this as a solution and closing the thread. Nothing to do at this stage other than what you both recommended above.

[Nasif_Azam · Accepted solution]

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

[Mauro89 · Accepted solution]

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!