There is a managed metadata column (multi-select) that is mapped to a RefinableString managed property. Search Query tool shows the correct values.

There are multiple documents that have multiple values selected in the managed metadata column, documents are stored within many libraries.

Let`s look at a Document “Document1” with 2 metadata values selected: processName1, processName2.

Case 1: Search for ProcessName1

When I search in the library, these results appear:

RefinableString120=processName1    – 3 results, ok

RefinableString120:processName1     – 3 results, ok

When I search the site, these results appear:

RefinableString120=processName1    – 3 results (from just 1 library), 22 expected

RefinableString120:processName1      – more results from many libraries

When I search using a custom search page with PnP modern search webparts:

Manually select the refinement value from dropdown for processName1 – 22 results, ok

Search RefinableString120:processName1          – 22 results, ok

Search RefinableString120=processName1         – 19 results, 3 missing

The missing results are exactly those documents that are the only results I got when I use the site search box with the equals query (RefinableString120=processName1).

Case 2: Search for an other metadata value “processName2”

Second, when I search for another processName, it works:

RefinableString120=processName2  – 17 results, ok

RefinableString120:processName2   – 17 results, ok

Case 3: Search for an other “Document2” with processName1 from Case 1 works also fine.

I see this behavior in 2 different tenants.

Using the SP Editor Search feature also show this behavior. A search for “RefinableString120=value” (equals) shows all these items, that can only be found in the library or PnP modern WebPart Search by using “RefinableString120:value” (contains).

Library and site were reindexed multiple times.

Can anyone help me to find the reason and a solution? Thanks.

​There is a managed metadata column (multi-select) that is mapped to a RefinableString managed property. Search Query tool shows the correct values. There are multiple documents that have multiple values selected in the managed metadata column, documents are stored within many libraries. Let`s look at a Document “Document1” with 2 metadata values selected: processName1, processName2. Case 1: Search for ProcessName1When I search in the library, these results appear:RefinableString120=processName1    – 3 results, okRefinableString120:processName1     – 3 results, ok When I search the site, these results appear:RefinableString120=processName1    – 3 results (from just 1 library), 22 expectedRefinableString120:processName1      – more results from many libraries When I search using a custom search page with PnP modern search webparts:Manually select the refinement value from dropdown for processName1 – 22 results, okSearch RefinableString120:processName1          – 22 results, okSearch RefinableString120=processName1         – 19 results, 3 missing The missing results are exactly those documents that are the only results I got when I use the site search box with the equals query (RefinableString120=processName1). Case 2: Search for an other metadata value “processName2″Second, when I search for another processName, it works:RefinableString120=processName2  – 17 results, okRefinableString120:processName2   – 17 results, ok Case 3: Search for an other “Document2” with processName1 from Case 1 works also fine.  I see this behavior in 2 different tenants. Using the SP Editor Search feature also show this behavior. A search for “RefinableString120=value” (equals) shows all these items, that can only be found in the library or PnP modern WebPart Search by using “RefinableString120:value” (contains). Library and site were reindexed multiple times. Can anyone help me to find the reason and a solution? Thanks.  Read More

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