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Facets Integration

When to Use

When adding faceted search navigation to your Search API-powered search page.

Decision: Facets Module Compatibility

Facets 3.x only works with Search API. It does not work with core Views database queries.

Decision: Architecture Approach

Approach Module AJAX Recommended
Exposed Filters facets_exposed_filters + BEF Yes (native Views) Yes — for new projects
Blocks facets (core) No Legacy approach 
drush en facets facets_exposed_filters better_exposed_filters
  1. Create View using Search API index
  2. Save the View (required before adding facets)
  3. Add Filter Criteria → select from "Facets" category
  4. Configure facet processors in filter settings
  5. Change exposed form style to "Better Exposed Filters"
  6. Configure BEF widgets (checkboxes, links, etc.)

Pattern: Key Integration Points

  • Index the field as String type (not Fulltext) for faceting
  • Enable translate_entity processor on the facet for entity reference fields
  • Use hide_non_narrowing_result_processor for clean UX
  • Exposed filter facets produce no crawlable URLs (SEO safe — see the Drupal Facets guide)

Common Mistakes

  • Using Fulltext type for facet fields — Fulltext tokenizes values. "Web Development" becomes two facet items: "web" and "development". Use String type.
  • Facets on non-indexed fields — The field must be in the Search API index.
  • Not saving the View first — Facet source doesn't exist until the View is saved.

See Also

  • The dedicated Drupal Facets Guide covers facets comprehensively:
  • Facets overview and architecture
  • All processors, widgets, and hierarchy
  • SEO & bot protection (critical!)
  • BEF integration details
  • Drupal Facets guide