Create 'search engine' function Excel database.

Hi all,

I am looking to create a search engine capability inside a database I have created in Excel. I realise there is the find function already built into Excel however this is not what I want.
Ideally I want a text field at the top of the worksheet that returns every row from a large database that contains a match with specified text either stand alone or contained within a string. ie searching for 'xyz' returns the results of 'xyz' and '123xyz456'.
The rest of the database entries are removed from the search results, not just highlighting the found text. This is because the database is very large and to scroll through all of the entries looking for results would not be user friendly.
I also want to only search database entries, meaning the column headings ect stay visible with the search results displayed in the relevant column.

As a bit of background the database contains a list of ~1000 products with their characteristics populating each row as you go along the column. The search would then be able to return product X Manufactured by Y if the user searched for Y.

While I have some experience with coding, C++ and Java but not VisualBasic, this is not a coding project so I would appreciate as much help as possible when it comes to the code.
I am fairly new to advanced level Excel.

The second part (I think will be slightly easier) is to have a 'sort by' drop down box, something likeyou have on Amazon ect, whereby the user can select sort by make, model, price ect and it returns the list aalphabetically according to this field.

Thanks in advance!!!

Toby

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the quick response.

Yes, this is pretty much exactly what I'm after. Your workbook won't let me run the macro, giving me the error:

Cannot run the macro "Search%20Data(1).xlsm'!SearchParts'. The macro may not be available in this workbook or all macros may be disabled.

Macros are enabled so it's not that.

Cheers Toby

macro not working.png

I downloaded the file.

It does not give me the option search parts. It gives me the attached print screen window.

Thanks

I definitely saved it as an slsm 'Microsoft Excel Macro-Enabled Worksheet'. Just tried again and I get the same result

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the code. I tried to implement it but I couldn't get it to work. I've uploaded the original file (with most of the data removed) so if you have time you could help with this one.

Cheers

Toby

ATTACH]173343[/ATTACH]

Database Framework.xlsx
Sorry, I realise I'm not explaining it very well. I've edited the file to try and make it clearer.

Could the search results be displayed on the second sheet marked 'search'?
Likewise for the 'sort by' function (i don't even know if this is possible??). Ideally I would like it to display a version of the data base on that sheet that contains all the entries but sorted by the selected parameter.

Hope this help clear things up.

Cheers

Toby

Hi Mike,

You are really a Genius!!

Well I was trying something on search & display data and I came across to your code (Search data.xlsm) which is useful to me.

But Mike can this be in case sensitive mode? My search mode is based on Abbreviations I have a list of abbreviations and their details to fetch.

From your above code I can fetch data but only I am lacking in a case sensitive method. I would really appreciate if you can let me know codes for case sensitive.

If so then I can easily search Character wise in my database.

For Example:
A, A-, a., a-, BB, bb like that abbreviations

Waiting for response!

Thanks,
Kenny

Ok, I am really sorry for that as I was not aware of the rules.