UI pattern for an 'OR' search

Question

Problem: I'm trying to display a search filter to the user that deals with groups of required fields. (as we are searching 8 different databases with 8 sets of different required fields). I want the search filter to be simple, but also tell the user that if they put in a name, they also have to put in a DoB. Conversley, if they put in a reference number, they also have to put in an address. So the group of required fields might change depending on what info the user starts entering.

Constraints: No possibility to combine the datasets or align the required fields for each database.

So I'm wondering if this has to be an 'OR' pattern search for each group of required fields. i.e. user chooses to search the first box (containing first name, last name and DoB) OR they choose to search next box (containing first name, reference number and address)

Ideally I'd like it all in one search box, but with different groups of required fields I'm wondering how to indicate this?

Thanks

Answer 1

It's a pretty common pattern to split them, especially on checkouts and account areas on ecommerce sites.

From past A/B tests I'd advise to stay away from complicating forms with radio buttons and forms changing as the user changes certain values, having two separate forms is a pretty clean and simple way to achieve what you need.

That being said you do have a common field on both forms, so it is worth considering that a user may type that in on one form and realise they are on the wrong form and have to type it in again. Perhaps the split should just be on the other fields leaving person type global to both.

Answer 2

Defining the scope of the search is a very common task, available on most sites and apps with a number of different searchable categories. This is the standard approach:

The only difference in your case is that you have a number of fields dependent on the selection in the dropdown, instead of a single field.

So something like this could work:

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Answer 3

Would prepending something like tabs or radios or anything similar that is easy to togggle work for you?

Search based on/Search accroding to:

1. address
2. name

Philosophical mentoring note (see the self-sarcasm?) It's somehow always a balancing act of speed (how often you do this - login form used once a day vs. search field that you use 20 times in an hour), whether you expect users will prefer one option over the other (jumping with a mouse from one form to another might be not fancy interaction too), how big screen you have (or whether you need to place something else around it), how tight you're on time for developing it. The fun of creating things for people!