Creating Static and Runtime Filters

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to create static and runtime filters in SAP SuccessFactors Canvas Reports.

Static and Runtime Filters

Introduction

Filters allow you to limit the data you view in a report or query. In detailed reporting queries with a live data source, there are two types of filters you can set:

The Filter Designer screen, filtered by department.

Static Filter: Filters rows based on a value of a specified field: When it is added, it is permanently applied to a query.
Runtime (user prompted) Filter: Filters rows based on the fields selected, allowing report consumers to choose the filtered value for fields

For example, supposing your report needs to reflect only the Sales department. You could go back to the query and apply a static filter on all rows from the Sales department. Alternatively, you can set up a runtime filter in the Department field, allowing report consumers to choose Sales or Marketing before running the report.

Reports with runtime (user prompted) filters, people scope, and/or date options, will prompt the user to make filter selections prior to displaying results. The user will see a popup on top of the report page with filter criteria before seeing report results.

Note: If the report does not have any runtime filters, people scope, or date options enabled, there will be no prompt for the report consumers.

Add a Static Filter

To add a static filter on the query building screen, navigate to Applied Filters on the left side of the screen and choose Manage Filters. You can then define the filter field, operator, and value.

With the value you can enter a value, select a dynamic variable, or select a report value from the database for that specific field.

From the Custom filter list, select a dynamic variable.

Filter Search Values

When setting up a filter in Canvas, you may enter any part of the value and the Filter Designer will permit you to select the desired value from the list of results.

Filter Groups

It is possible to add multiple filters to a query. These filters can be grouped using the Filter Designer. When adding multiple filters, you can toggle between the AND / OR clause by clicking on the AND / OR statement. By doing this, you can create Filter groups:

Sample with multiple filters added to a query.

Runtime Filters

In the Runtime Filter Designer, select the fields that will be used for filtering.

To add a runtime filter on a query building screen, complete the following steps:

Choose Edit→Manage Runtime Filters.
From the Available Columns list, select the fields which will be used for filtering.
Note
If you are using pivot charts or tables with list reports that have a runtime filter, be sure to create the pivot charts or tables after adding the runtime filter. When you create a pivot chart, it uses data that existed at the time of creation. If you add the runtime filters after creating a report, return to Page Designer, edit the component to make modifications to the report, and re-pivot the data using the Pivot Query Designer. When you apply the runtime filter, data reflected in the pivot chart will also be filtered.

Exercise: Work with Filters

Business Example

In this exercise, you will work with filters. You will customize a query to include two levels below the logged in user in your Employee Information query. You will add a static filter and a runtime filter.

ExerciseStart Exercise

Summary

Apply Static Filters to permanently limit query data based on specific field values like a single department.
Use Runtime Filters to allow report consumers to choose their own filter values before the report runs.
Create Filter Groups using AND or OR clauses to combine multiple filtering conditions for complex data requests.
Configure Dynamic Variables or report values to define filter criteria within the Filter Designer workspace.
Ensure pivot components are re-pivoted if Runtime Filters are added after the initial chart or table creation.

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