diff --git a/the_works/static/the_works.css b/the_works/static/the_works.css
index 0e9ec54..f861351 100644
--- a/the_works/static/the_works.css
+++ b/the_works/static/the_works.css
@@ -64,6 +64,12 @@ table.dataTable span.dt-column-order::after
   line-height: var(--pico-line-height) !important;
 }
 
+/* make search field expand to ca. half width */
+.dt-container div:first-child > .dt-layout-cell,
+.dt-container div:first-child .dt-search {
+  flex-grow: 1;
+}
+
 table.dataTable td.action {
   padding: calc(var(--pico-spacing) / 2) var(--pico-spacing);
 }