7.1.1.1. Index Schema Design

7.1.1.1. Index Schema Design

The index schema defines your searchable fields and their behaviors. Getting this right is crucial—changing field attributes later requires reindexing all content.

Field attributes:

• Searchable: Include in full-text search (text fields only)
• Filterable: Use in $filter expressions
• Sortable: Use in $orderby expressions
• Facetable: Return facet counts for navigation
• Retrievable: Include in search results

Key field: Every index needs exactly one key field (unique document identifier)

Data types: Edm.String, Edm.Int32, Edm.Double, Edm.Boolean, Edm.DateTimeOffset, Collection(Edm.String) for arrays

Exam tip: A field can be filterable but not searchable. "Category" might be filterable (for navigation) but not searchable (you don't want "Electronics" matching a search for "electron").