Searching in Filters and Input Controls

When searching in story and page filters and in input controls, different search parameters return different results.

You can use the wildcard character (*) to control how you search for your IDs or descriptions in story and page filters and in input controls. The placement of the wildcard character determines the search results.

Note

Search only works for flat data, not hierarchical data.

There are some limitations when searching filters for SAP BW (see Searching in Filters and Input Controls (Specifics for SAP BW)).

Tip

For best results, display the input control data as either ID or Description, not both.

Example

The following dialog shows a page filter that is displaying descriptions instead of IDs for its members.

Restriction

You can use a wildcard search in story and page filters and in input controls, but not in the member selector filter.

The following table shows you the search options and the expected search results.

Search parameters Results Example

a

Contains “a”.

Search: J

Result:
  • Janet Bury
  • James Frank
  • John Minker
  • Kiran Raj

a*

Starts with “a”.

Search: J*

Result:
  • Janet Bury
  • James Frank
  • John Minker

*a

Ends with “a”.

Search: *J

Result:
  • Kiran Raj

*a*

Contains “a”.

Search: *J*

Result:
  • Janet Bury
  • James Frank
  • John Minker
  • Kiran Raj

a*b

Starts with “a” and ends with “b”.

Search: L*d

Result:
  • Lois Wood
  • Lia Armand

a*b*

Starts with “a” and contains “b”.

Search: J*n*

Result:
  • Janet Bury
  • James Frank
  • John Minker

*a*b

Contains “a” and ends with “b”.

Search: *n*r

Result:
  • John Minker
  • Nancy Miller

*a*b*

Contains “a” and “b”.

Search: *n*r*

Result:
  • Janet Bury
  • James Frank
  • John Minker
  • Kiran Raj
Remember

The search strings don't have to be next to each other, but they do need to be consecutive: strings where “b” occurs first won't be returned.

spaceaspace

Contains the exact string, including leading and trailing spaces.

Search: spaceofspace

Result:
  • Cost of Goods Sold
  • Other Cost of Goods Sold
  • Cost of Product

*(1..n)

(Multiple wildcard characters)

Contains the full list, as if there was no search.

Search: **

Result:
  • Janet Bury
  • Gary Dumin
  • James Frank
  • Lois Wood
  • John Minker
  • Nancy Miller
  • David Carl
  • Ed Young
  • Kiran Raj
  • Gabriel Walton
Related Information