Filtering Report Data

You can filter the report data to limit the displayed results.

For example, you can limit the displayed results to information for a specific customer or a sales period. The data you filter out remains in the document; it's simply not displayed in the report tables or charts. This means you can change or remove report filters in order to view the hidden values, without modifying the query behind the document.

You can apply different filters to different parts of a report. For example, you can limit the results in the entire report to a specific product line and then limit results in a table or chart further to focus on results for a specific region or customer profile.

To create a filter, you need to specify the following elements:

• A filtered object
• An operator
• Filter values
• The report element to be filtered (the whole report, sections, or blocks).

See the following video to learn more about the types of filters in a document.

A nested report filter contains more than one filter that uses AND and OR clauses.

Input controls provide a convenient, easily accessible way to filter and analyze report data.

You can define input controls using standard windows controls, such as lists or entry fields text boxes, and associate them with one or multiple elements, such as tables, sections, and charts, or with all the elements in a document. When you select values in the input control, you filter the values in the associated report elements by the values you have selected.

You can use input controls to analyze different scenarios by changing the value of variables. For example, you can assign a slider input control to a variable with a constant value. If the variable is part of a formula, you use the slider control to examine different formula results based on the variable value.

You can choose from several input controls to filter data.

The available properties are determined by the control type.

Input controls are displayed in the filter bar, which is designed for consumption work flows.

Use the Manage Filter Bar dialog to modify existing input controls.

To modify an Input Control: Manage filters → Manage Filter Bar → select the Input Control → Right arrow.

The filter bar allows you to display and manage any filters that impact your data set in the document in Design mode.

In the Reading mode, you can change filter values or use the Reset button to change the Input Controls back to the default values.

• Input Controls
• Group of Input Controls
• Prompts
• Filters
• Drill Filters
• Element Links

You can use a filter path to help you refine your data in a report.

A filter path is a visual representation of the order of two or more input controls that are part of the same group. This order determines the progressive refinement of available values in the input controls’ lists of values.

You create a filter path by grouping several input controls together in a report, and then select each one in the order that you would like your values to be filtered. The filter path allows you to control the progressive refinement of your data.