diff --git a/R/ae_forestly.R b/R/ae_forestly.R
index 6477686..276200a 100644
--- a/R/ae_forestly.R
+++ b/R/ae_forestly.R
@@ -279,6 +279,37 @@ ae_forestly <- function(outdata,
         resizable = TRUE,
         filterable = TRUE,
         searchable = TRUE,
+        searchMethod = reactable::JS(
+          "function(rows, columnIds, filterValue) {
+            var v = filterValue.trim();
+            if (v === '') return rows;
+            // If the input looks like a JS expression (contains an operator),
+            // evaluate it with `x` bound to each cell value.
+            var exprPattern = /[=!<>]|\\.(includes|startsWith|endsWith|match)\\s*\\(/;
+            if (exprPattern.test(v)) {
+              try {
+                var fn = new Function('x', 'try { return (' + v + '); } catch(e) { return false; }');
+                // Negation expressions use every() (row passes if ALL cells satisfy),
+                // positive expressions use some() (row passes if ANY cell satisfies).
+                var isNegation = /^!|!=/.test(v);
+                var method = isNegation ? 'every' : 'some';
+                return rows.filter(function(row) {
+                  return columnIds[method](function(id) {
+                    var x = row.values[id];
+                    if (x == null) return isNegation;
+                    return fn(String(x)) || (isFinite(Number(x)) && fn(Number(x)));
+                  });
+                });
+              } catch(e) { }
+            }
+            // Default: substring search
+            return rows.filter(function(row) {
+              return columnIds.some(function(id) {
+                return String(row.values[id]).toLowerCase().indexOf(v.toLowerCase()) > -1;
+              });
+            });
+          }"
+        ),
         showPageSizeOptions = TRUE,
         borderless = TRUE,
         striped = TRUE,