Omni-Search

One search box that replaces a sidebar full of native filter dropdowns. Drop it on a dashboard, type anything, and it matches across every field and every value the dashboard shows. Pick a result and every worksheet filters; a chip shows what is active, and removing the chip clears it.

Not a viz extension: its manifest root is <dashboard-extension> and it reads tableau.extensions.dashboardContent.dashboard, so it can reach every worksheet. It does not go on a Marks card.

#What you can search

• Values: type west and get Region: West, State: West Virginia, Customer: …, grouped by field. Pick one to filter every sheet that has the field. Pick more to widen the selection (Add mode).
• Fields: type a field name to browse all of its values. Type fields for a directory of every field on the dashboard.
• Date periods: type a date field's name and pick it; a row of period chips appears (Last 7/30/60/90 days, This year, Last year, each year). Click one to apply, again to clear.

Parameter search and the range grammar (sales > 1000, 2023..2024) are parsed in omni-core.js but switched off since 2026-09-12; the "Include parameters" setting is hidden until they return.

#Free in Desktop, licensed on Server and Cloud

The Tableau Exchange build checks where it is running (tableau.extensions.environment.context):

• Tableau Desktop (and Public Desktop): everything is on, no key, ever.
• Tableau Server / Cloud: paste a license key in Configure → Pro license and press Verify. Without one, the published copy still works, limited to value search with one active filter, and shows a small "unlicensed on Server/Cloud" badge.

Keys are TO- keys sold and checked by TableauOps (Stripe checkout at ext.tableauops.com, verified at /api/license/verify). A key that checks out is stored with a signed token and trusted offline between daily re-checks, so a Server with patchy outbound access stays unlocked. Kit-provisioned and self-hosted copies carry no Exchange channel stamp and are always fully on.

The Trusted (Tableau-hosted) edition carries no license check of any kind; the ship script cuts the gate out of that build.

#No data-access permission

The manifest declares no full data permission, on purpose (a Certified listing forbids one, and the extension does not need it):

• the field catalog comes from each worksheet's getDataSourcesAsync();
• browsable values come from the SUMMARY data each sheet already shows (the aggregated marks, allowed without any permission) plus any categorical filter's domain.

The honest limit: a field that sits in the data source but on no sheet, with no filter, is searchable by name but has no value list to browse. Put the field on a filter or a sheet (even a hidden one) if you want its values to autocomplete.

#Four layouts

• Bar: results drop down inside the zone. The default.
• Overlay: the body goes transparent, so a tall floating object reads as just the bar and results paint over the canvas.
• Icon: at rest a magnifying-glass button; click it to pop the search open.
• Palette: the bar shows only the input and chips; clicking it opens a popup search palette that runs the same search against the same dashboard.

Auto picks Bar in a tall zone and Palette in a thin strip.

#Get it

Omni-Search is free in Tableau Desktop: add it from the Tableau Exchange and every feature works with no key. Publishing to Tableau Server or Cloud takes a license ($29), pasted once into its Configure dialog; see Omni-Search. Try it on the live demo.