Changing the default search filter operator for Alpha fields
For Alpha fields the current default search filter operator is "contains." A "contains" search has the potential advantage of retrieving more records but this can negatively affect performance if it is a list in a large business class that is being searched. For this reason, an administrator can change the default search filter operator to a different value, such as "starts with" or "equals." Users can still opt to use "contains" when specifying the filter on a list if necessary.
The default search filter operator is set at the list level. Setting the default search filter operator on specific lists can provide the most appropriate operator for those specific cases. For example, searching on Vendor Name would be appropriate for a "contains" search, but for the Invoice Number an “equals” operator is more appropriate.