# Omni-Search

> One search box instead of a Tableau filter sidebar: type any value or field and every worksheet filters. Free in Tableau Desktop, licensed for Server and Cloud.

Canonical: https://ext.tableauops.com/knowledge/kit/omni-search
Updated: 2026-10-06
Author: Eric Summers

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](/omni-search). Try it on the [live demo](/kit/demo/omni-search).


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Try it live: See it live — https://ext.tableauops.com/kit/demo/omni-search