Write in a combobox before options appears

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Posted on by Charlie Martharper

943 Season of Giving Solutions 2025

Hi!

I have an APP with a combobox but I want that users have to write before the choices/options of the combobox are shown.

Is there a way to hide the options and wait until users write in the combobox?

Thanks!

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Building Power Apps

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Kalathiya 2,456 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hello @Charlie Martharper,

Yes, it’s possible. You can hide the ComboBox options until the user starts typing by checking the SearchText property and only returning results when it isn’t blank.

If( !IsBlank(Self.SearchText), Search( Choices([@'Test List'].'Product'), Self.SearchText, "Value" ), Blank() ) //Test List - Replace with your sharepoint list name //Product - Replace with your column name

This will load the choices depending on the user's input in the ComboBox.

If this response resolves your issue, please mark it as the Verified Answer so it can help other community members as well.

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DP_Prabh 381 on at

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Hi @Charlie Martharper,

Yes. In Power Apps, you can make a ComboBox show options only after the user starts typing by using the SearchText property in the Items formula.

Example

Set the Items property of the ComboBox:

If( IsBlank(Self.SearchText), [], Filter(YourDataSource, StartsWith(YourColumn, Self.SearchText)) )

How it works

SearchText returns what the user types in the ComboBox.

If it’s blank → return an empty table [], so no options appear.

Once the user types → results are filtered and shown.

Microsoft Documentation

Microsoft explains the SearchText property and filtering behavior here:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-apps/maker/canvas-apps/controls/control-combo-box

You can also combine it with StartsWith() for delegable search as recommended by Microsoft:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/power-fx/reference/function-startswith

I hope this works for you!

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Charlie Martharper 943 Season of Giving Solutions 2025 on at

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Hi ! @Kalathiya

I have this code in the items control:

With(

{

_allRecords: Filter(

'Circuits_territorials_03_2026', //Your SharePoint List - Please replace if it's wrong

UP_Origen.Value = ComboBox_Origen1_1.Selected.Value //AGA Combobox name - Replace 'AGAComboBox' your combobox control name

)

},

Sort(

Distinct(

Ungroup(

_allRecords,

Paraula_clau

),

Value

),

Value

)

)

How can I add the code in there?

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Kalathiya 2,456 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hello @Charlie Martharper,

I'm assuming this is a dependent dropdown where the options are populated based on the selection of another field.

Please try below code:
With( { _allRecords: Filter( 'Circuits_territorials_03_2026', //Your SharePoint List - Please replace if it's wrong UP_Origen.Value = ComboBox_Origen1_1.Selected.Value //AGA Combobox name - Replace 'AGAComboBox' your combobox control name ) }, If( !IsBlank(Self.SearchText), Sort( Search( Distinct( Ungroup( _allRecords, Paraula_clau ), Value ), Self.SearchText, Value ), Value ), Blank() ) )

Note:
#1. The Allow Searching property must be enabled.
#2. Sometimes the dropdown may not refresh even after pasting the correct code. If that happens, try adding a new ComboBox and test again.

\If this response resolves your issue, please mark it as the Verified Answer so it can help other community members as well.

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Charlie Martharper 943 Season of Giving Solutions 2025 on at

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Hi!

I tried that code but it doesnt show any options when writing any letter. Its searchable and I created another oine but still doesnt work.

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Kalathiya 2,456 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hello @Charlie Martharper,

Please double confirm the combobox field property. If not set, please set property.

If you are not able to set from here, you can search below 2 property and write below code:

#1. DisplayField

#2. SearchField

Past below code:

["Value"]

Same thing please do for above 2 properties and try again.

If this response resolves your issue, please mark it as the Verified Answer so it can help other community members as well.

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