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Can't seem to get search function to work

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Posted on by steve_flogeras

Hi.

New to Powerapps, but not new to Low Code database applications (Caspio, Zoho Creator etc.). After attempting to build something in Power Apps from scratch (and failing), I went through the 'Build your first app" training with the Flooring estimator spreadsheet.

I used the spreadsheet as-is (made no modifications whatsoever) and had Power App build an app for me from a template (the three screen app withe view, add and edit).

For some reason, the search bar returns no results, despite searching for content that is clearly within the dataset.

What am I missing?

Screenshots attached

Categories:

Building Power Apps

Search Results.png

Gallery (search) ...

Filter Results.png

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EddieE 4,641 Moderator on at

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@steve_flogeras

I built an app the same way and it works for me. The only difference I can see is that your Search is referencing the Image column - try removing that and see what happens

I didn't change anything in the app or file either.

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steve_flogeras 10 on at

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Hi EddieE,

You mention that you made no changes to the app or file, but I note that both the layout and the fields were different in our two examples - strange. Did you build the app recently or some time ago?

In any case, I changed the formula to match your example, but no dice on the search results.

Assuming there are no other deltas between our two examples, I am wondering if this is perhaps an environment setting that is preventing it? I am not seeing any errors, but maybe there is a setting either in Onedrive or in Power Apps that needs to be adjusted?

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HDG1 2 on at

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Hi Steve,

I am in the same boat as you- new to power apps and launched a screen from a template. I connected to a data source with ease but no cigar on the search function working. If I go to test the app and type in the bar, the results go away but cannot get a specific account to show up if it matches the search bar.

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steve_flogeras 10 on at

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Hopefully someone will enlighten us 😉

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EddieE 4,641 Moderator on at

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@steve_flogeras

Yes, I noticed that as well - re the slight differences in app builds. Not sure why that is, possibly Environments? I used our company Default env to build my app.

Do you have a link for where you got your file from, maybe the file is corrupt?

You could also try using StartsWith() instead of Search() and see what happens. Depending on your data source, Search can quickly become unusable in PowerApps because it isn't delegable across a number of widely used sources - something to bare in mind for future you.

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steve_flogeras 10 on at

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Hey Eddie,

Unfortunately swapping "Search" for "StartsWith" just breaks the whole thing.

The spreadsheet came from this page:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/get-started-with-powerapps/5-powerapps-create-first
Directly link to the file is:
https://az787822.vo.msecnd.net/documentation/get-started-from-data/FlooringEstimates.xlsx

So far, I give Power Apps an F- grade. If the simplest off the shelf training example can't even execute a search on a 16 row spreadsheet without requiring a bunch of troubleshooting, it hardly qualifies as a useful platform in my books.

Still looking for a solution, but losing patience with this platform quickly.

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EddieE 4,641 Moderator on at

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@steve_flogeras

Thanks, seems to be the same file I used and I still have issues replicating your error. The StartsWith functions uses a different structure, try this

//SortByColumns(Search([@FlooringEstimates], TextSearchBox1.Text, "Category","Name","Overview"), "Category", If(SortDescending1, SortOrder.Descending, SortOrder.Ascending)) Filter( FlooringEstimates, IsBlank(TextSearchBox1.Text) || StartsWith( Name, TextSearchBox1.Text) || StartsWith( Category, TextSearchBox1.Text))

Also, are you using the 'OneDrive for Business' connector. There is a different OneDrive connector which may/may not cause issues? I cannot check this, sorry, ie

- connectors drive PowerApps so this needs to be correct.

The linked article says this at the top

Note

Power Apps requires either a Microsoft 365 license or a free trial. Learn more about your licensing options. Microsoft products include Microsoft Power Apps and Power Automate.

So, you need one of these to make this work.

There may also be something going on at your Tenant / Environment level? This just worked for me on my work account but you are having issues which suggests this maybe the case.

Maybe a MS employee on the forums knows more?
@v-bofeng-msft @v-xiaochen-msft

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steve_flogeras 10 on at

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Hi Eddie,

The connector I am using is Excel Online (Business), which is the same one the tutorial I was going through advised.

I tried the code you provided, but still no luck on getting it to execute a search.

I suspect, as you said, that this may be an environment issue, which I will have no ability to change.

I thank you for your help, but at this point I will close out this request for help - Power Apps is simply too much of a hassle. I was able to build what I wanted using AirTable in about 30 seconds, with zero code and 10x the functionality.

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