Cannot search custom variable field

[Paddington Bear]

Hi there,

This seems to have been raised on the forum in older versions, but without a resolution.

I have created a custom variable - it's a simple text field.
I have set it to be 'searchable'. It's place of setting is 'Product' as required.
I have populated the field with some text.

The search doesn't find the text.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[peblaco]

The quick search does not work that way in v11 see: here.

[Paddington Bear]

Response

Thank you for clarifying. I now understand.

It seems so 'obvious' that 'searchable' means searchable, that it is quite misleading to call the variable searchable when it isn't. The reality is more like: 'Usable as a drop-down list entry in a search'. If it said that, I wouldn't use it and wouldn't be confused.

I am aware that hidden text is not approved by the interwebs, and so I see two workarounds:
1. As suggested, using the extended information fields.
2. Finding an acceptable way to include the text in the description.

I would request then, the ability to make custom variables properly searchable in future versions.

[Paddington Bear]

Trying the extended information way

Now I am finding that this doesn't work.

I have put some text in the Extended Information text field.
I have ticked the 'Generate Popup Page' box
The Popup page has a name
Then, in Links>Links from Product Page, I have ticked 'Text Link to Extended Information Page' with the Link Text: "More..."

When I upload it, the 'More...' tag is there. The pop-up opens when I click on it.

But the text inside it is still not found in a search.

Did I miss a step?

[Paddington Bear]

Solved it!

The 'Index Extended Product Info' box needs to be ticked in
Settings>Search Options>Indexing Options.

Now it works.