Filtering Data Range Using Parameters

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to filter data range in a report using parameters.

Range Parameters

See the following scenario to learn more about the range parameters.

In a brightly lit laboratory-like workspace with glassware on the table, two colleagues in white lab coats—one seated and one leaning in—intently watch and point at a large touchscreen monitor displaying data charts while a speech bubble asks This is great! What if I would like to view a range order like order id from 1185 to 1193? Can you show me? and another replies You just need to modify the parameter properties 'Allow range value' to True. Let me show you .

Watch this video to see how to use a parameter that requires the user to enter a single discrete value when a customer order report has too many details.

The following screenshot shows a parameter that is defined with a range of values.

A sequence of annotated screenshots of a Windows report designer shows a user editing the Select Order Id parameter (setting Allow range values to True), clicking OK, entering a Start of Range and End of Range order ID in an Enter Values dialog, and then previewing the generated customer order report table (columns: Order ID, Customer Name, Product Name, Order Amount), with yellow callouts and arrows visually guiding the workflow.

You can create parameters that require users to enter a single (discrete) value, or a range of values. If you include these parameters in your report’s record selection, you can help users find specific information. For example, in the case of a record-selection parameter that uses a discrete value, a user can enter a single country name to see sales figures for only that country. In the case of a record selection parameter that uses a range of values, a user can enter a range of countries (for example, Canada and France) to see sales figures for all the countries in the range (in this case, Chile, China, Denmark, and England).

Note

If the Allow multiple values and the Allow discrete values options are selected, the parameter field will accept multiple single values. In this case, you can enter more than one value, but these values are evaluated individually and will not be interpreted as a range. If the Allow multiple values and Allow range values options are selected, the parameter field will accept multiple ranges.

Filter a Report with a Date Range Parameter

In this exercise, you will filter a report with a date range parameter.

ExerciseStart Exercise

Summary

Parameters can be configured as either discrete values or ranges.
Discrete Value Parameters take single, specific entries.
Range Value Parameters accept a span of values.

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