Reference Field - Can you Search on a Column which is not Displayed?

[G24]

Hello.  Is there any concept of Keywords or Aliases or Search Terms which would allow a Portal user to find a records in a catalog item question (referenced field) without those search terms actually appearing in the search dialog?

For example.  Say I have a Car table, and I want the user to be able to search for, see, and select the Make:

   BMW

   Ford

   Mercedes

   Nissan

But I also want "Ford" to pop up if the user types in F150, F250, or F350, or Ranger.

And I want "BMW" to pop up if the user types in 318, 325, M3, X5, etc. 

And I do not want to SHOW the user these additional search terms in the selection / search dialog.

Is there any supported way to configure that?  Thank you!

[Joe S1]

Hi @G24 

Yes you can, it's a dictionary attribute that can be applied to the field. "ref_ac_columns_search"

https://docs.servicenow.com/en-US/bundle/utah-platform-administration/page/administer/reference-page...

[G24]

Thanks @Joe S1 but I don't think that will do what I want.  It says "Specifies the columns whose display values should appear in an auto completion list, in addition to the name."

I don't want them to appear.

[Joe S1]

Try the "ref_auto_completer" attribute with the "AJAXReferenceCompleter" option. See if that gets you want you're wanting.

[aaronb97]

@G24 did you end up getting this to work as you wanted?