Web AppBuilder search widget - can no longer 'deep' search by layer attributes

[AndrewOldham]

Hi!

We just noticed that our Web AppBuilder apps within AGOL are no longer allowing for searching layer attributes using 'contains' logic. For example if I have a parking code attribute of 'PK14120' and I only input '14120' into the search widget now, I get no results. I have to start with the 'PK' to start getting suggestions and results.

I saw a similar post here: https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-api-for-javascript-questions/search-widget-4-25-deep-searching-...

which referenced this: https://developers.arcgis.com/javascript/latest/release-notes/#search-performance-improvements

I'm assuming that the Web AppBuilder search widget is using the same 4.25 search API. If so, is there any out of the box work around for this? It's a pretty big change for our users who commonly only search on ID numbers instead of the entire ID string.

[GreggRoemhildt2]

I too would like to know the answer to this. I've already submitted a ticket to Esri support and will follow up when tech support provides an answer.

[GreggRoemhildt2 · Accepted solution]

Here's a summary of my interactions with esri support:

# if you are using a hosted layer:

You can use addToDefinition to update the layer you want with the required index. This will then magically work as expected

If you are using non-hosted (arcgis server) services

1. you can put a % in front of your searches. (haha - tell your non techy staff to remember that one)

2. you can configure a custom app to add a prefix % to the search widget - this would not apply to expb but would be a custom javascript app you'd write

3. you can also configure a custom app use an interceptor to search for all requests that contain the LIKE clause and apply the leading percent character.

See some notes here:

https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-online-questions/searching-adresses-requires-the-whole-exact-ph...

[AndrewOldham]

Thanks @GreggRoemhildt2!! Sounds like I'm kind of stuck for the time being. Pretty much all the layers I've been using this against are non-hosted (ArcGIS Server). Adding the % isn't great but I guess it is what it is.

For any others - from the above thread: https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-online/mapping/searching-for-features-in-maps-and-a...