# Search filters

A search filter adds a search box to a dashboard. Viewers type a value, and Orbit searches one or more variables you've chosen and filters the dashboard to the matching records. Viewers can find a record without knowing which variable holds the value.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Example use cases**
>
> **Supporter lookup**
>
> Create a search filter labelled **Supporter ID** that searches both a supporter reference number and a URN variable, so your supporter care team can find a supporter whichever number they have to hand.
>
> **Name search**
>
> Create a search filter labelled **Supporter Name** that searches the **Forename** and **Surname** variables, so viewers can find a supporter from either name.

## Prerequisites

To create search filters, you need:

- **Dashboard Search Filters** turned on in **Application Settings** \> **Dashboard Settings**
- Edit permission on the dashboard

## Create a search filter

You create a search filter in the dashboard's filters side panel.

To create a search filter:

1. Open your dashboard and select **Edit**.
2. Select **Filters** to open the filters side panel.
3. Under **Search Filters**, enter a label for the search box, up to 50 characters, so viewers know what to search for.

   > **Tip**
   >
   > Choose a label that says what to search for, such as **Supporter Email**, rather than just **Search**.
4. Select **\+ Add Filter**.
5. In the **Select filter** dialogue, search for one or more variables and select their check boxes. See [Working with filters](<https://help.apteco.com/en/orbit/dashboards/filtering/using-filters/index.md>).

   > **Note**
   >
   > Search filters only accept variables.

   > **Tip**
   >
   > Group related variables in a single search filter, such as **Forename** and **Surname** in a **Supporter Name** search filter.
6. Select **Add**.
7. To add more variables, select **\+ Add Filter** again. To remove a variable, select its bin icon.
8. To show the search filter's details to viewers in view mode, turn on **Show Filter Details In View Mode**.
9. Select **Close**.
10. **Save** your dashboard.

A search box with your label appears in the top right of the dashboard.

When viewers search, Orbit searches every variable in the filter and returns records that match any of them.

## Use a search filter

Viewers use the search box in view mode.

To search:

1. Enter your search term in the search box.
2. Press **Enter**, or wait a few seconds.

The dashboard shows only records that match the search term in any of the filter's variables. To clear the search, select the **X**.

If the editor has turned on **Show Filter Details In View Mode**, you can see which variables a search filter uses: select **Filters** and expand **Search Filters** in the side panel.

> [!NOTE]
>
> An admin can turn off search filters for your system with the **Dashboard Search Filters** application setting.