Can I Search an entity reference with search api db?

Question

I am using the search api database backend together with a views (with exposed fulltext search field). I want to show a 'related field' that is related to a content type that is being indexed. When the entity reference field only holds 1 value, all is fine.

But when it holds unlimited values (in the field settings) it no longer works in the view :-(

Does search api db have a limitation on indexing multivalued fields?

UPDATE

My content types are as follows:

• Content type a

  • Field_a = text
  • Field_b = entity ref to content type b (allowed values unlimited!)

• Content type b

  • Field 1 = text
  • Field 2 = text

I have indexed all fields above and added the related fields 1 and 2 to my search index as related fields.

Then when i create a view that shows the indexed nodes for content type a, and want to show field 2's information of the node that is referenced it only works when field b is set to allowed values: 1

Answer 1

SearchAPI does have this limitation: Note: This is a multi-valued relationship, which is currently not supported. Only the first related entity will be shown.

Here is the issue about this. https://www.drupal.org/node/1378656

Answer 2

Does search api db have a limitation on indexing multivalued fields?

NO

Search Api DB & Solr allows you to indexing multivalued fields. You probably did not see the changes because you did not re-index your index.

Edit: To answer your question base on the comment below. My answer still NO does not have limitation on indexing entity reference.

Can I Search an entity reference with search api db?

Yes

And here is an article that wunderkraut posted based on Entity Reference.

Benefits of Entity Reference: Can reference any type of entity. Easy to implement – follows same patterns as Node/User reference. Has Views integration, even for reverse relationships. Has Entity API integration, so it works well with Search API and Rules.