BUG: New Search duplicates items that have 1 variation if variation name has been changed

[Cobbles]

Example shown below - the book Wildly Different has one variation where we have changed the variation name to Hardback. It is incorrectly listed twice in the search. Not a big issue if only finding one item but if a bigger list is returned, the useful set of items information is below the list of unhelpful 1 variation items.

[Laurie_ · Accepted solution]

My sincere apologies, @Cobbles! For some reason, we weren't notified of your tag and your post slipped through on our side. I’m so sorry — that’s not the experience we aim to deliver here. Please accept our apology!

Given the time that’s passed, I just want to check how things are looking on your end today. In my own app (version 6.75), when I search for an item with a single variation, I see a single result showing the item name, variation name, SKU, price, and available stock. I’m hoping the recent app updates resolved this issue for you as well.

If you’re still seeing something different, let me know and we’ll take another look.

[Laurie_]

Hi @Cobbles,

We’d be happy to look into this and see if we can replicate the behaviour on our end.

Could you please confirm whether you're using an iOS or Android device? Also, could you check the version of the app you're currently running?

For iOS:

1. Go to the App Store on your device.
2. Search for Square and tap on the app.
3. The app version is listed under the "Version" section, just below the app description.

For Android:

1. Go to the Google Play Store on your device.
2. Search for Square and tap on the app.
3. The version number will be listed under the "What's New" section.

Thank you!

[Cobbles]

Hi @Laurie_ 

We're using iOS v6.65 on an iPad.

The behaviour has occurred since the recent Search changes.

If the variation name hasn't been changed from the hidden value of "Regular" then you just see one line

It would be very helpful if this showed the SKU like the second entry as shown in my original post.

If the variation name has been changed then you see the two entries, the second one being far more helpful. Here's another example (variation name changed to Blue). Again they are exactly the same item repeated, the second listing being far more helpful.

[Cobbles]

@Laurie_  Any update please?

[Cobbles]

It's now two weeks and no response.

Please can we get an update?

[Laurie_ · Accepted solution]

My sincere apologies, @Cobbles! For some reason, we weren't notified of your tag and your post slipped through on our side. I’m so sorry — that’s not the experience we aim to deliver here. Please accept our apology!

Given the time that’s passed, I just want to check how things are looking on your end today. In my own app (version 6.75), when I search for an item with a single variation, I see a single result showing the item name, variation name, SKU, price, and available stock. I’m hoping the recent app updates resolved this issue for you as well.

If you’re still seeing something different, let me know and we’ll take another look.

[Cobbles]

@Laurie_ Thank you, better late than never (though I have several other posts that have never been resolved as well).

In this case, I can confirm that the issue has been fixed in the latest release.

It wasn't the point of this report, but I also notice that items with more than one variation repeat the item and its variations. It can be unhelpful as the variations are not always listed directly under the "master" item. I don't think the "master" item is really needed anyway. Should I report this separately?

Thanks Kevin

Note below that the Ivy Berries variations are not immediately listed below the "master" item

[Laurie_ · Accepted solution]

More than fine to keep the discussion in this same thread, @Cobbles, seeing as how closely the two topics are related!

I noticed you’re posting in the Point of Sale category, but just to confirm — are you currently using the Square for Retail app on your device?

I ask because the search function in Square for Retail works a little differently from the standard Point of Sale app. For example, when you search for an item like “Sarah Robinson” in the Retail app, the results will first display all matching items in alphabetical order, followed by their associated variations. This setup is designed to streamline your workflow by helping you select the correct item first, then view and choose from its variations. That said, I completely understand that these features aren’t always one-size-fits-all. In contrast, if you search for something more specific like “Ivy Berries”, the app will return the grouped item and its variations together.

Meanwhile, in the Point of Sale app, the same search (e.g. “Sarah Robinson”) will return just a single result line, showing the total number of variations, rather than listing them out individually as the Retail app does.

This is a small but intentional difference in functionality between the two apps. Both are working as designed, but I’d be more than happy to pass your feedback along about the search experience!