Dataverse search
One search box in the header that finds records across many tables at once, with suggestions as you type and results grouped by table.
What it is
Dataverse search is the global search box in the app header. Select it and you see your recent searches and recently opened rows. As you type, suggestions appear. Press Enter and a results page lists matches from several tables in one list sorted by relevance, with tabs to narrow by table and filters on the side.
When to use it
Use it when you know a word, name or number but not which table holds it. When you already know the table, use Quick find in the grid, which is more predictable and searches only that view.
Licensing and configuration
No extra licence, but the index uses Dataverse storage. An environment admin turns it on in the Power Platform admin center: Settings, Product, Features, then Show global search bar in all model-driven apps and turn on search indexing. Dataverse search is opt-out, but the search box shows only when the option is On, not Default. Searchable tables and columns come from each table's Quick Find view, and a table must be in the app and have Appear in search results set to On.
Pitfalls
- You can't switch Dataverse search off for a single app; it is per environment.
- When it is On, the older categorised (quick find) global search is no longer available.
- Changes to the search configuration can take about 15 minutes to show, and a first full sync takes much longer on large organisations.
- Related table columns in the Quick Find view are ignored by the index.
Try it in the demo
- Select the search box and type "wayne": suggestions appear.
- Press Enter to open the results page.
- Switch between the table tabs.