Low Search and Matrix/Playa
Is Low Search able to search an entries Matrix/Playa fields? Or specifically a Matrix field that contains Playa values? In my tests so far, when I make those fields searchable in a given entry, their contents don't seem to be searchable.
Replies
Low 3 Oct 2011 06:04
By default Matrix adds its searchable fields to the exp_channel_data table, which means it is searchable by both the native search and Low Search.
However, relationships (the native version and Playa) are different. Since they are entries themselves, the related entries get indexed themselves, as stand-alone entries.
P&T could add Low Search compatibility to Playa by making use of the API...
carlosperez 5 Oct 2011 18:09
Out of curiosity have you been able to get it work in any testing you may have done with your API?
Low 6 Oct 2011 07:32
Well, Matrix worked without any effort. I haven't tinkered with Playa, mainly because it's a relationship type.
Low Search returns entries. Relationships are entries related to other entries. When searching, what would you expect to see? This is tricky. Do you want to see the entry itself or the entry related to it? In some cases you would, in some you wouldn't.
I have worked with the API in test cases, and I believe CartThrob is adding (or has added) Low Search support to their add-on.
carlosperez 6 Oct 2011 10:16
I would be hoping to get access to the fields and the data they contain in a given entry and it's related entries. In a scenario such as a job listing there would have to be specific information about the job, but plenty of info that is about the employer. I don't want to have to duplicate the data of the employer in the listing entry as if the employer entry changes, I'd like to reflect on all the listings as well.
I've contacted Brandon at Pixel & Tonic to see if there's any hope of him integrating your API, so I'll see if anything comes out of that.
I suppose an option I do have is searching the related entry channel with Low Search as well and determining which results are from the related channel with PHP and pass that along to Low Search before the results are displayed. Or something along those lines.
Low 7 Oct 2011 07:58
Frankly, I think allowing related entries to be indexed with the parent entry opens up a can of worms. What to do with its custom fields? Are they weighted? And what if that entry has related entries itself? How recursive can you get?
No, I think the best option is to use multiple collections, then check if an entry is related to another and show either the related entry or main entry in the search results tag, using regular conditionals.
carlosperez 7 Oct 2011 12:28
Ah... I see your point. I'll give the conditionals a shot then! Thank you.
arvinsim 26 Jul 2013 07:04
Any updates on this? Playa inside a Matrix still not searchable?
Low 26 Jul 2013 08:37
If the Playa column in Matrix is searchable, and you add weight to the Matrix field, then the Playa titles will be searchable with keywords. That's the extent of it.