cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
Mgodby
Post Patron
Post Patron

Doing a Filter using multiple inputs, but need it to be so one of the inputs is blank you don't filter on a certain field

Hello. I'm trying to build a search function, and here are the input fields. The only ones that matter in this issue I'm facing now are Seat ID, Audit ID, Location, Build Event and Incomplete Audits Only (boolean).


mycriteria.png

What I'm trying to do is set up a filter so it only does filters on these input fields that have value. For example, if Seat ID and Audit ID are the only ones with value then I want to do a filter using only them. So if somebody only has Build Event filled out, then I only want to apply a filter on that field and forget the rest. So essentially, filter this entity where build event is equal to what was put into the build event combo box. All the other fields are not filtered on.

 

This was my attempt. I tried to store my entity in a variable and then filter than variable in sequence depending on which input fields had value.

 

myattempt.png

 

 The issue with this was my lookup fields would not longer work or display in the gallery I'm going to be applying this filter to so I decided I couldn't use a variable.

 

Does anyone know a way to set this up so I don't have to essentially create a ton of if statements? Thank you.

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
wyotim
Resident Rockstar
Resident Rockstar

@Mgodby there are ways to filter by multiple items using only what you select/enter. Looking at the code you provided, here is an attempt to do so:

Filter(
    *DataSource*,
    'Seat ID' = SearchSeatID.Text,
    'Audit Number' = SearchAuditID.Text,
    'Build Event'.Name = SearchBuildEventComboBox.Selected.Name || SearchBuildEventComboBox.Selected.Name = Blank(),
    'Build Event'.Name = SearchLocationComboBox.Selected.Name || SearchLocationComboBox.Selected.Name = Blank(),
    If(
        IncompleteAuditsInput.Value,
        Text('Audit Status') <> "COMPLETE",
        true
    )
)

I'm not too certain that it will work as written, but it hopefully gives some pointers as to how to make it happen. For instance, when using combo boxes in a filter, there needs to be some way to differentiate between blank and selected items, so an or statement works well there. Also, returning the boolean value of true can be a nice trick for bypassing a section in a filter if a condition is not met. 

 

Feel free to reply back if I can help with this further. I'd be happy to help out if needed! You also might also check out this thread, where I was having a bit of the same issue a while back.

View solution in original post

9 REPLIES 9
wyotim
Resident Rockstar
Resident Rockstar

@Mgodby there are ways to filter by multiple items using only what you select/enter. Looking at the code you provided, here is an attempt to do so:

Filter(
    *DataSource*,
    'Seat ID' = SearchSeatID.Text,
    'Audit Number' = SearchAuditID.Text,
    'Build Event'.Name = SearchBuildEventComboBox.Selected.Name || SearchBuildEventComboBox.Selected.Name = Blank(),
    'Build Event'.Name = SearchLocationComboBox.Selected.Name || SearchLocationComboBox.Selected.Name = Blank(),
    If(
        IncompleteAuditsInput.Value,
        Text('Audit Status') <> "COMPLETE",
        true
    )
)

I'm not too certain that it will work as written, but it hopefully gives some pointers as to how to make it happen. For instance, when using combo boxes in a filter, there needs to be some way to differentiate between blank and selected items, so an or statement works well there. Also, returning the boolean value of true can be a nice trick for bypassing a section in a filter if a condition is not met. 

 

Feel free to reply back if I can help with this further. I'd be happy to help out if needed! You also might also check out this thread, where I was having a bit of the same issue a while back.

Hi @wyotim, it's been awhile since this post, but would you mind explaining to me how/why this works. I'm dealing with the same issue. When I plugged in your solution into my Gallery.Items code, it did not ignore the blank input field.

 

In my case, I have four input fields:

  • inpProjectID
  • cmbTown
  • cmbEmployer
  • inpName

 

The code I used was 

Filter(
    'dbo.Project',
    ProjectID = Value(inpProjectID.Text) || Value(inpProjectID.Text) = Blank(),
    PuebloID = Value(First(cmbTown.SelectedItems).TownID) || Value(First(cmbTown.SelectedItems).TownID) = Blank() 
    EmployerID = Value(First(cmbEmployer.SelectedItems).EmployerID) || Value(First(cmbEmployer.SelectedItems).EmployerID) = Blank(),
    inpName.Text in Name|| inpName.Text = Blank()
)

Any help would be appreciated.

I read the thread that you referred to. I just didn't read the blog post that Ericonline pointed you to, because my computer didn't trust it, so I dared not.

wyotim
Resident Rockstar
Resident Rockstar

Hi @cidreno and thanks for reaching out. You might try the following and see if it works for you:

 

Filter(
    'dbo.Project',
    ProjectID = Value(inpProjectID.Text) || inpProjectID.Text = Blank(),
    PuebloID = cmbTown.Selected.TownID || cmbTown.Selected.TownID = Blank() 
    EmployerID = cmbEmployer.Selected.EmployerID || cmbEmployer.Selected.EmployerID = Blank(),
    inpName.Text in Name || inpName.Text = Blank()
)

 

 

The basic way that it works is by either providing a value to search (for instance PuebloID = cmbTown.Selected.TownID, which checks for that ID) or a response of true, which tells the filter that the condition is met (for instance cmbTown.Selected.TownID = Blank(), which would indicate that no item was selected). 

It's a little strange (to me at least) but filtering is, in a way, looking for boolean values (it found the thing or it didn't). By making a result return true it 'fools' the filter into thinking that it found what it was looking for. So leaving any of those filter items blank, it treats it like it found what it was after without doing any filtering for that item.

In terms of the code you posted, my suggestion just simplifies things a bit and might help your code be a bit easier to read. Hopefully, it works as intended but let me know if it doesn't!

 

Please let me know if that doesn't explain things adequately; I'm happy to follow up on any further questions you may have or try to explain it better if needed.

Cheers!

cidreno
Helper I
Helper I

tricky tricky tricky.

 

the strange thing is that it works perfectly without including the ProjectID line. 

    ProjectID = Value(inpProjectID.Text) || inpProjectID.Text = Blank()

 

When I include that line (which is the Identity column in SQL, fwiw), the gallery remained empty unless the inpProjectID input control was not blank. Any ideas why this is happening?

 

Also, thanks for cleaning up my code! I didn't know about ComboBox.Selected. So much easier!!!

 

wyotim
Resident Rockstar
Resident Rockstar

So it looks like I led you astray there. After a quick test, that should be either

 

ProjectID = Value(inpProjectID.Text) || inpProjectID.Text = ""

or

ProjectID = Value(inpProjectID.Text) || Value(inpProjectID.Text) = Blank()

 

My guess as to why that would be is that it must be in how it is handling the text vs. a blank number. Blank text must not resolve to an unknown or blank value but instead an empty string (which makes sense), whereas an empty number value is unknown. I was just assuming it would treat them the same. Always learning, right?

 

And glad that little rewrite was helpful! Using .Selected is pretty nice as you can add a field at the end or use it to reference the whole selected record. 👍 

Let me know if I can be of any further help with that and happy Power Apping!

yup. this worked. fantastic. thanks so much. and for detailed explanations, too!

just made an alteration. i added one Text Input control called inpSearchMap in which the user can type in anything and it will get filtered by all relevant columns (like google maps).

 

my code looks like this

Filter(
    'dbo.Project',
    inpSearchMap.Text in Town|| 
    inpSearchMap.Text in Employer || 
    inpSearchMap.Text in Name|| 
    inpSearchMap.Text = Blank()
)

So clean and elegant!!! (I jettisoned the ProjectID b/c people don't really know that anyway)

wyotim
Resident Rockstar
Resident Rockstar

Very nice! Well done! 👍

😁

Helpful resources

Announcements

Exclusive LIVE Community Event: Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat with Copilot Studio Product Team

  It's time for the SECOND Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat featuring the Copilot Studio product team, which will be held LIVE on April 3, 2024 at 9:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).     This is an incredible opportunity to connect with members of the Copilot Studio product team and ask them anything about Copilot Studio. We'll share our special guests with you shortly--but we want to encourage to mark your calendars now because you will not want to miss the conversation.   This live event will give you the unique opportunity to learn more about Copilot Studio plans, where we’ll focus, and get insight into upcoming features. We’re looking forward to hearing from the community, so bring your questions!   TO GET ACCESS TO THIS EXCLUSIVE AMA: Kudo this post to reserve your spot! Reserve your spot now by kudoing this post.  Reservations will be prioritized on when your kudo for the post comes through, so don't wait! Click that "kudo button" today.   Invitations will be sent on April 2nd.Users posting Kudos after April 2nd. at 9AM PDT may not receive an invitation but will be able to view the session online after conclusion of the event. Give your "kudo" today and mark your calendars for April 3rd, 2024 at 9:30 AM PDT and join us for an engaging and informative session!

Tuesday Tip: Unlocking Community Achievements and Earning Badges

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!     THIS WEEK'S TIP: Unlocking Achievements and Earning BadgesAcross the Communities, you'll see badges on users profile that recognize and reward their engagement and contributions. These badges each signify a different achievement--and all of those achievements are available to any Community member! If you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, you too can earn badges for the great work you do. Check out some details on Community badges below--and find out more in the detailed link at the end of the article!       A Diverse Range of Badges to Collect The badges you can earn in the Community cover a wide array of activities, including: Kudos Received: Acknowledges the number of times a user’s post has been appreciated with a “Kudo.”Kudos Given: Highlights the user’s generosity in recognizing others’ contributions.Topics Created: Tracks the number of discussions initiated by a user.Solutions Provided: Celebrates the instances where a user’s response is marked as the correct solution.Reply: Counts the number of times a user has engaged with community discussions.Blog Contributor: Honors those who contribute valuable content and are invited to write for the community blog.       A Community Evolving Together Badges are not only a great way to recognize outstanding contributions of our amazing Community members--they are also a way to continue fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. As you continue to share your knowledge and assist each other these badges serve as a visual representation of your valuable contributions.   Find out more about badges in these Community Support pages in each Community: All About Community Badges - Power Apps CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Automate CommunityAll About Community Badges - Copilot Studio CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Pages Community

Tuesday Tips: Powering Up Your Community Profile

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!   This Week's Tip: Power Up Your Profile!  🚀 It's where every Community member gets their start, and it's essential that you keep it updated! Your Community User Profile is how you're able to get messages, post solutions, ask questions--and as you rank up, it's where your badges will appear and how you'll be known when you start blogging in the Community Blog. Your Community User Profile is how the Community knows you--so it's essential that it works the way you need it to! From changing your username to updating contact information, this Knowledge Base Article is your best resource for powering up your profile.     Password Puzzles? No Problem! Find out how to sync your Azure AD password with your community account, ensuring a seamless sign-in. No separate passwords to remember! Job Jumps & Email Swaps Changed jobs? Got a new email? Fear not! You'll find out how to link your shiny new email to your existing community account, keeping your contributions and connections intact. Username Uncertainties Unraveled Picking the perfect username is crucial--and sometimes the original choice you signed up with doesn't fit as well as you may have thought. There's a quick way to request an update here--but remember, your username is your community identity, so choose wisely. "Need Admin Approval" Warning Window? If you see this error message while using the community, don't worry. A simple process will help you get where you need to go. If you still need assistance, find out how to contact your Community Support team. Whatever you're looking for, when it comes to your profile, the Community Account Support Knowledge Base article is your treasure trove of tips as you navigate the nuances of your Community Profile. It’s the ultimate resource for keeping your digital identity in tip-top shape while engaging with the Power Platform Community. So, dive in and power up your profile today!  💪🚀   Community Account Support | Power Apps Community Account Support | Power AutomateCommunity Account Support | Copilot Studio  Community Account Support | Power Pages

Super User of the Month | Chris Piasecki

In our 2nd installment of this new ongoing feature in the Community, we're thrilled to announce that Chris Piasecki is our Super User of the Month for March 2024. If you've been in the Community for a while, we're sure you've seen a comment or marked one of Chris' helpful tips as a solution--he's been a Super User for SEVEN consecutive seasons!       Since authoring his first reply in April 2020 to his most recent achievement organizing the Canadian Power Platform Summit this month, Chris has helped countless Community members with his insights and expertise. In addition to being a Super User, Chris is also a User Group leader, Microsoft MVP, and a featured speaker at the Microsoft Power Platform Conference. His contributions to the new SUIT program, along with his joyous personality and willingness to jump in and help so many members has made Chris a fixture in the Power Platform Community.   When Chris isn't authoring solutions or organizing events, he's actively leading Piasecki Consulting, specializing in solution architecture, integration, DevOps, and more--helping clients discover how to strategize and implement Microsoft's technology platforms. We are grateful for Chris' insightful help in the Community and look forward to even more amazing milestones as he continues to assist so many with his great tips, solutions--always with a smile and a great sense of humor.You can find Chris in the Community and on LinkedIn. Thanks for being such a SUPER user, Chris! 💪🌠

Find Out What Makes Super Users So Super

We know many of you visit the Power Platform Communities to ask questions and receive answers. But do you know that many of our best answers and solutions come from Community members who are super active, helping anyone who needs a little help getting unstuck with Business Applications products? We call these dedicated Community members Super Users because they are the real heroes in the Community, willing to jump in whenever they can to help! Maybe you've encountered them yourself and they've solved some of your biggest questions. Have you ever wondered, "Why?"We interviewed several of our Super Users to understand what drives them to help in the Community--and discover the difference it has made in their lives as well! Take a look in our gallery today: What Motivates a Super User? - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com)

March User Group Update: New Groups and Upcoming Events!

  Welcome to this month’s celebration of our Community User Groups and exciting User Group events. We’re thrilled to introduce some brand-new user groups that have recently joined our vibrant community. Plus, we’ve got a lineup of engaging events you won’t want to miss. Let’s jump right in: New User Groups   Sacramento Power Platform GroupANZ Power Platform COE User GroupPower Platform MongoliaPower Platform User Group OmanPower Platform User Group Delta StateMid Michigan Power Platform Upcoming Events  DUG4MFG - Quarterly Meetup - Microsoft Demand PlanningDate: 19 Mar 2024 | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Central America Standard TimeDescription: Dive into the world of manufacturing with a focus on Demand Planning. Learn from industry experts and share your insights. Dynamics User Group HoustonDate: 07 Mar 2024 | 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM Central America Standard TimeDescription: Houston, get ready for an immersive session on Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. Connect with fellow professionals and expand your knowledge. Reading Dynamics 365 & Power Platform User Group (Q1)Date: 05 Mar 2024 | 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM GMT Standard TimeDescription: Join our virtual meetup for insightful discussions, demos, and community updates. Let’s kick off Q1 with a bang! Leaders, Create Your Events!    Leaders of existing User Groups, don’t forget to create your events within the Community platform. By doing so, you’ll enable us to share them in future posts and newsletters. Let’s spread the word and make these gatherings even more impactful! Stay tuned for more updates, inspiring stories, and collaborative opportunities from and for our Community User Groups.   P.S. Have an event or success story to share? Reach out to us – we’d love to feature you!

Top Solution Authors
Top Kudoed Authors
Users online (5,786)