---
title: "Wildcard searches in Quickbase"
slug: "wildcard-searches-in-quickbase"
updated: 2026-06-02T13:35:46Z
published: 2026-06-02T13:35:46Z
canonical: "help.quickbase.com/wildcard-searches-in-quickbase"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.quickbase.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Wildcard searches in Quickbase

A wildcard search is when you use the special characters `*` or `?` to maximize your search results. Using these characters allows you to find relevant information, even if you're unsure of the exact spelling or details.

- `*` finds any number of matching characters. For example, `Jo*` would match `Joe`,`Jon`, or `John`.
- `?` finds a single matching character. For example, `Jo?` will match `Joe` or `Jon` but not `John`.

This article covers where wildcards are supported in Quickbase and best practices for using wildcards to search Quickbase.

## Wildcard search availability in Quickbase

Wildcards in searches are supported in the following areas of Quickbase:

| Area | Example | Details |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Table report search | ![Highlighted search field on a table report](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/33744893430292.png) | Not available in legacy table reports |
| Table report column filters | ![Highlighted report filter fields on a table report.](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/33744861063444.png) | Only available in fields where you can type values. Fields with dropdowns do not support wildcard search. |
| Dashboard search widgets | ![Dashboard that contains a search widget. Search widget is highlighted.](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/33744893434132.png) | - Available on the most updated version of dashboards - Not available on home pages - Settings for the widget must allow partial matches ![Setting dropdown in the search widget that contains the setting to allow partial matches](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/33744861064852.png) - Wildcards only work if the user has **not** selected **Exact match only** ![End user option to select exact match when using a search widget on a dashboard.](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/33744893439892.png) |
| Global search | ![Search field in the global bar](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/33744893440788.png) ![Search window where you type a search term after selecting the search field](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/33744893443348.png) | Wildcards only work when **Exact match** is not selected |
| Report builder | ![Filter on a report builder, where you select a field, then a search operator, and then type a value. The search operator list is a dropdown that contains wildcard match.](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/33744861069588.png) | Use the operator `wildcard match` to include wildcards in the report filter |
| APIs | See [API_DoQuery](/v1/docs/api-doquery) | Use `WC` as a query operator |

## Tips for using wildcards

1—Create wildcard expressions that match exactly what you are looking for.

For example, you are looking for the name Niklas Owen, but are unsure of the spelling.

- `Niklas` will likely bring up Niklas Owen but only works if you know the exact spelling
- `Ni?la` does **not** return the result Niklas Owen. This is because the wildcard is only allowing for the single unknown letter.
- `Ni?las*` **does** return the result *Niklas Owen*. This is because the `*` at the end allows for more matching characters.

2—To include special characters in a search, escape them with a `\\`.

The escape applies to the entire string, no matter where it is included. If you search `Hello\\?*` you're searching for the literal text `Hello?*`.

`Hello\\?\\*` , `Hello\\?*`, and `Hello?\\*` are all the same search for the literal text `Hello?*`.

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> When you use wildcard match in the report builder, you do not need to escape special characters. That's because the report builder lets you define if you want to search using `contains` or `wildcard match`.

3—Wildcard match is different than a search that uses the `contains` operator.

For example, you are looking for the field value `Task is assigned to John`.

- `Field 8 CONTAINS "John"` would match the value.
- `Field 8 WILDCARD MATCHES "John"` would not match. However, you can replicate a contains search by doing something like `Field 8 WILDCARD MATCHES "*John*"`