When building custom solutions for SharePoint, the REST API is an indispensable tool for data retrieval. However, as your applications grow in complexity, you often find that a simple single-value filter isn't enough. You might need to fetch students from three specific zip codes, retrieve tasks assigned to multiple team members, or pull items from specific categories.

In this guide, you will learn the correct syntax for using the $filter parameter with multiple values, why common mistakes like using multiple filter parameters fail, and how to structure your OData queries for maximum performance.

Understanding the $filter Parameter

The $filter query option allows you to refine the results returned from a SharePoint list. It uses the OData protocol syntax. While basic queries like ?$filter=Title eq 'Home' are straightforward, adding multiple conditions requires a specific logical structure.

One of the most common pitfalls developers encounter is trying to stack filter parameters or pass a comma-separated list into an equality operator. For example, the following attempts will fail:

  • ?$filter=ZipCode eq '12345'&$filter=ZipCode eq '22222' (Only the last filter is typically respected, or the server returns an error).
  • ?$filter=ZipCode eq '12345,22222' (The API looks for a literal string containing both numbers).

To filter by multiple values correctly, you must use logical operators within a single $filter string.

The Solution: Using Logical 'OR' and 'AND' Operators

To retrieve records that match any of several values, you should use the or operator. If you need to match multiple conditions simultaneously (e.g., specific ZipCode AND a specific Status), you use the and operator.

Filtering Multiple Values for the Same Field

If you want to get items where the ZipCode is either 12345 or 22222, your REST URL should look like this:

/_api/web/Lists/getByTitle('Students')/items?$select=Title,ZipCode&$filter=(ZipCode eq '12345') or (ZipCode eq '22222')

While parentheses are not strictly required by the OData parser for simple or chains, they are highly recommended. They improve readability and prevent logic errors when you start mixing and and or operators in the same query.

Cleaner Syntax without Parentheses

If your query is simple, you can omit the brackets for a cleaner URL:

/_api/web/lists/getbytitle('Students')/items?$select=Title,ZipCode&$filter=ZipCode eq '12345' or ZipCode eq '22222'

Handling Different Data Types

When constructing your filter, the data type of the SharePoint column is critical. Using the wrong syntax for a specific field type will result in a 400 Bad Request or an internal server error.

1. String/Text Fields

For Single Line of Text or Choice columns, you must wrap the value in single quotes: $filter=Status eq 'Completed' or Status eq 'In Progress'

2. Number Fields

For Number or Currency columns, do not use quotes: $filter=Age eq 25 or Age eq 30

3. Boolean Fields

For Yes/No columns, use lowercase true/false without quotes: $filter=IsActive eq true

4. Lookup Fields

When filtering by a Lookup column, you must target the ID of the related item or the value using the specific internal name expansion: $filter=Category/Id eq 5 or Category/Id eq 10 (Note: This requires a $expand=Category in your query).

Advanced Multi-Value Filtering and Performance

As your requirements scale, you might find yourself needing to filter by dozens of values. There are several professional considerations to keep in mind.

URL Length Limitations

SharePoint REST API calls are subject to URL length limits (typically around 2,048 characters). If you are building a filter string dynamically in JavaScript that includes 50 different IDs, you might hit this limit. In such cases, consider using a POST request to the GetItems endpoint with a CAML query, which can handle much larger query payloads.

Indexed Columns

Filtering is a resource-intensive operation. If your SharePoint list contains more than 5,000 items (the default list view threshold), your REST query will fail unless the column you are filtering on is indexed.

To index a column: 1. Navigate to List Settings. 2. Scroll down to the "Columns" section. 3. Click on "Indexed columns". 4. Create a new index for the field you are using in your $filter (e.g., ZipCode).

The Lack of 'IN' Operator

Modern OData v4 supports an IN operator (e.g., City in ('London', 'Paris')). However, SharePoint’s implementation of the REST API primarily uses OData v2 and v3, which do not support IN. You must continue to use the repeated or syntax: (Field eq 'A') or (Field eq 'B').

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use wildcards when filtering multiple values?

No, the eq operator requires an exact match. If you need partial matches, you can use the substringof function, though combining multiple substringof calls with or can become very slow on large datasets.

How do I filter by multiple values in a Multi-Choice column?

Filtering multi-choice columns is tricky because the data is stored as an array. You usually have to use the results property or multiple substringof checks, but it is generally recommended to avoid complex filtering on multi-choice columns via REST if performance is a priority.

Is there a limit to how many 'or' conditions I can use?

While there isn't a hard-coded limit on the number of or operators, the practical limit is defined by the URL length and the complexity of the query plan. If you have more than 20 values, consider whether your data architecture could be improved or if you should use a CAML query instead.

Wrapping Up

Filtering by multiple values in the SharePoint REST API is a fundamental skill for any M365 developer. By using the or logical operator and ensuring your syntax matches the column's data type, you can create powerful, dynamic queries to power your applications.

Key takeaways: - Use or to check one field against multiple possible values. - Use and to ensure multiple conditions are met simultaneously. - Always wrap string values in single quotes and leave numbers unquoted. - Use parentheses to maintain logic and readability in complex queries. - Index your columns to avoid List View Threshold errors on large lists.