# Are the custom fields searchable in the user directory?

**URL:** <https://meta.discourse.org/t/are-the-custom-fields-searchable-in-the-user-directory/246331>\
**Category:** Product Support\
**Tags:** user-directory, user-custom-fields\
**Created:** [September 8, 2022, 4:07pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/are-the-custom-fields-searchable-in-the-user-directory/246331 "2022-09-08T16:07:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 6

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**Author:** ![JoelZaslofsky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/joelzaslofsky/32/158556_2.png) [@JoelZaslofsky](https://meta.discourse.org/u/JoelZaslofsky)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 9:20pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/are-the-custom-fields-searchable-in-the-user-directory/246331/6 "2023-02-28T21:20:31Z")

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> [@Canapin](#):
>
> I tested the user directory search by custom field, and there is indeed room for improvement.

I’m glad you agree. 🙂

> [@Canapin](#):
>
> Among other things, special characters can make the search not return results when it should, the layout doesn’t have much room to show more columns, etc…

I’m approaching it purely from a functional perspective. For example, can I do a keyword search in a custom field of interests for “community building” or even a learning goal of “python coding?”

Your eyes are probably more keen than mine for the UX.

> [@Canapin](#):
>
> I think if changes have to be made, it would be starting from here …

I’d start with the functionality and then work on the UX. But that’s just me. Knowing Discourse devs, they can do both at the same time. 😀

I’m willing to have more conversation and even create some feature specs if that will help speed up any future development around searchable custom fields in the user directory.

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