Slicer Search Advanced Optimization

[Anonymous]

I am trying to optimize the search functionality within a slicer. I have created the slicer for the following column:

Company Name

mathworks

math limited

u s corporal

7 eleven corp

- The problem is that few of my dashboard users sometimes type "math works" (a space in between math and works) and the filter doesn't show this option.
- Similar cases for "u s corporal", my users somtimes use "US corporal" and the search option in the filter fails to show the company.

Is there any way I can optimize this so that the users are shown the company despite the spacing errors between the words?

[TheoC]

@Anonymous, ahhh that makes sense about the inputs. Here is a link that can provide guidance on Column by Examples. It's a very intuitive function.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-a-column-from-an-example-power-query-cd82c570-8da7-4d70-91a1-3827b5995eab

[Anonymous]

No, this doesn't work either. Let me illustrate a use case here

works in this case.
If my user types "Companyname" without spaces the search fails. 

What I am trying to do is to find a work around where the user gets company name shown when his input is either "CompanyName" or "Company Name"

[TheoC]

@Anonymous check this out 🙂

https://appsource.microsoft.com/en-us/product/power-bi-visuals/wa104381309?tab=overview

[TheoC]

@Anonymous did this give you what you wanted?

https://appsource.microsoft.com/en-us/product/power-bi-visuals/wa104381309?tab=overview

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hey, that didn't get me to the solution. But I found a custom filter called "Smart Pro Viz" which ignores the spacing between text and gives me the desired outcome. 

Thanks! 

[TheoC]

Nice to hear mate. Of course We'll! Completely forgot about that one. Well done!

[TheoC]

@Anonymous I now better understand what you're looking for. I'll get back to you soon.

[TheoC]

@Anonymous, I'd recommend either creating a Conditional Column in Power Query whereby the inputs are cleansed / manipulated in back-end and then the slicer does it's job.  For example, a few steps you would take to ensure inputs are cleansed and consistent could be using the following:

• Convert all inputs for [Column] to "UPPERCASE" or "Proper Text" or "lowercase"
• Using TRIM on the column to remove leading / ending " " spaces.
• And so on...

Otherwise, in Power Query you can also Create Column From Examples which uses machine learning to assign an output. 

Let me know if you need further insight into this 🙂

[Anonymous]

I have already trimmed the column and convereted the text to upper case. The problem with creating a conditional column is that I have 500+ Companies in my list that would mean writing atleast 4 different conditions for each company. 😕 

[TheoC]

@Anonymous did you try creating a Column by Examples?

Also, an alternative is to prevent input errors by establishing controls over the users' data input.  Can you create a drop down list or the like so you don't have to perform the cleansing?

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately I cannot establish control over the users input data. Cleansing is done once I get it on Power-BI. 

What do you mean by creating a column by examples? Can you elaborate please?