Forum Discussion
text search visual - changing to different fields dynamically.
Good morning.
I have a page where when I choose an option from a Category Selector, it changes my matrix properly and with this i was able to reduce the pages from 7 to 1.
The text search is awesome because with so many entries, it's better to type in a keyword than run down a list in a slicer of hundreds of records. My goal is to create one text search for all 7 below.
But the field that the text search uses needs to switch to the field that the user chooses. Creating a measure won't work since the field requires a column.
Is there a way to switch to differerent fields (the field listed in the NAMEOF section of the cateory here) so that a user can search on only what is found in the field, using one text search ? Anything out in the Additional visuals section?
I'm using the text search box..looking for anything that will do the trick.
Thanks!
Steve.
Category = {
Power BI does not natively support switching the search field of a text search visual dynamically based on slicer or user selection, as text filter visuals require binding to a single column. However, there are workarounds and custom visual options to achieve your goal:
Recommended Solution: Combined Search Column
Create a new column in your data model that concatenates all target fields (e.g., Category, Product, Customer) using DAX like SearchKey = [Field1] & " " & [Field2] & " " & [Field3].
Bind your text search visual (such as Text Filter or Text Slicer) to this combined column. Users can then search all target fields using a single text box.
This approach simplifies the interface and maintains performance for large datasets.
Custom Visual Alternatives
Custom visuals, such as Smart Filter by OK Viz, may support more advanced filtering (including cascading or multi-field searches).
Explore AppSource for visuals with flexible configuration, but most currently available require a single column for free text search.
Why Measure Does Not Work
Measures cannot be used, as text filter visuals require column-level binding, not measure-based dynamic values.
Steps
Create a search column in Power BI Desktop using DAX.
Use the Text Filter or Text Slicer visual and bind it to the search column.
(Optional) Explore custom visuals for more advanced features from AppSource
11 Replies
Hi StevenT ,
Adding to ajaybabuinturiresponse, another helpful option is the bridge table technique. By unpivoting searchable fields into a single column in Power Query, you can set up a model where one slicer lets users pick a field, and another slicer enables keyword searching within that field. This method provides dynamic text filtering natively and avoids duplicating visuals.
Thank you mh2587 , ajaybabuinturi for you valuable inputs.
Regards,
Yugandhar.Power BI does not natively support switching the search field of a text search visual dynamically based on slicer or user selection, as text filter visuals require binding to a single column. However, there are workarounds and custom visual options to achieve your goal:
Recommended Solution: Combined Search Column
Create a new column in your data model that concatenates all target fields (e.g., Category, Product, Customer) using DAX like SearchKey = [Field1] & " " & [Field2] & " " & [Field3].
Bind your text search visual (such as Text Filter or Text Slicer) to this combined column. Users can then search all target fields using a single text box.
This approach simplifies the interface and maintains performance for large datasets.
Custom Visual Alternatives
Custom visuals, such as Smart Filter by OK Viz, may support more advanced filtering (including cascading or multi-field searches).
Explore AppSource for visuals with flexible configuration, but most currently available require a single column for free text search.
Why Measure Does Not Work
Measures cannot be used, as text filter visuals require column-level binding, not measure-based dynamic values.
Steps
Create a search column in Power BI Desktop using DAX.
Use the Text Filter or Text Slicer visual and bind it to the search column.
(Optional) Explore custom visuals for more advanced features from AppSource
You've given me an interesting idea here. I'm going to try it and see how things go!
Thanks Very much! Still didn't resolve it but I appreciate the ideas. Maybe I just need to do some research.
Thank you for getting back to us. Once you’ve had a chance to try out Shubham_rai955 suggestion, please let us know how it works for you. We’re available to help with any further improvements.
Regards,
Yugandhar.
You can Import this custom text slicer which purley work on Keywords
Hi StevenT,
I would like to let you know that native Power BI text search slicer is not worked based on selection. You can try below workarounds
Use Smart Filter by OKVIZ
https://appsource.microsoft.com/en-us/product/PowerBIVisuals/WA104380859Thanks,
If you found this solution helpful, please consider giving it a Like👍 and marking it as Accepted Solution✔. This helps improve visibility for others who may be encountering/facing same questions/issues.Hi StevenT ,
Could you let us know if your issue has been resolved, or if you need any additional information or clarification? We are happy to help.
Thank you.
Hi StevenT ,
We wanted to follow up since we haven't received a response from you. Could you please share your research feedback and let us know if the issue was resolved? This information will be helpful for other community users as well.
