bundle add ransack

# In the model, whitelist the fields to search
  def self.ransackable_attributes(auth_object = nil)
    ["field1", "field2"]
  end

# In the controller
def index
  @q = MyModel.ransack(params[:q])
  @data = @q.result(distinct: true).page(params[:page])
end

# In the view
<%= search_form_for @q do |f| %>
  <%= f.label :name_cont %>
  <%= f.search_field :name_cont %>
  <%= f.submit "Search" %>
<% end %>
<%# 
  Do a render 'mymodel/search_form.html.erb'
  and put the above in mymodel/_search_form.html.erb 
  (Remember the underscore in the partial view filename)
  In the search_field call, "_cont" is for contains, "_start" is for starts-with
%>
<div>
  Sort by: <%= sort_link(@q, :name) do %>Name<% end %>
</div>