DAX SEARCH Function

SEARCH DAX function returns the number of the character at which a specific character or text string is first found, reading left to right. Search is case-insensitive and accent sensitive.

It’s comes under TEXT functions DAX category.

Syntax:

SEARCH(<find_text>, <within_text>, <start_num>, <NotFoundValue>)

Parameters:

find_text: The text you want to find, use double quote.

• You can use wildcard characters – the question mark (?) and asterisk (*) – in find_text.  A question mark matches any single character, an asterisk matches any sequence of characters.
• If you want to find an actual question mark or asterisk, type a tilde (~) before the character.

within_text: The text in which you want to search for find_text, or a column containing text.

start_num: (optional) The character position in within_text at which you want to start searching. If omitted, 1.

NotFoundValue: (optional) The value that should be returned when the operation does not find a matching substring, typically 0, -1, or BLANK().

Note:

• The search function is case insensitive.
• This function does not support Direct Query mode
• This function support wildcards.

Let’s get started:

Import below sample dataset into Power BI desktop-

Id	Statement	Rating
1	Service	5
2	Food Quality	5
3	Atmosphere	7
4	Value for money	5
5	Cleanness	7
6	Coffe Quality	6
7	Help 24 * 7	8
8	AC / Lights	8
9	Help – Desk	10

Now follow these steps-

Step-1: Add one new column , Right click on dataset and select “New Column” and write below DAX function.

Search char position = SEARCH("R",Survey[Statement], , -1)

Step-2: Here we want to find “R” character position for all values of Statement column.




Now click on Data tab and you can see the position number. It will return -1, if not found character in string.

Step-3: Support wildcard character, only for question mark(?) & asterisk (*) use tilde (~) before the character.

Step-4: For other wildcard character- no need to use tilde (~) before the character.

Refer other DAX post – DAX Tutorials

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