Filters slice the data shown in your report on the fly, without touching the formulas underneath. One selection updates the whole report at once.

Open them from Filters in the panel.

What a filter affects

A filter applies to every Datarails object in the spreadsheet: formulas, data tables and report builder output all follow the selection.

A single filter can also span several source tables. If your report draws on both a financials table and a headcount table, one filter can cover both, as long as the equivalent field in each was mapped when the filter was created. A table that was not linked to the filter is not affected by it.

See The Datarails Add-In: Filters.

Active and inactive

A filter is active when one or more values are selected, and inactive, shown as All, when none are. An inactive filter still exists in the report and is ready to use, it is simply not narrowing anything.

The count beside Filters counts the active ones, not how many exist.

Creating a filter from the library

The library suggests ready-made filters based on the tables your report is connected to.

1. Open the Filters panel.
2. Click Manage filters at the bottom. The filters library opens.
3. Pick one of the suggested filters, or build a new filter manually.
4. If the field you chose exists in another connected table and you want it to be affected by the filter as well, you can map the equivalent field there. Select it and confirm.
5. Add the filter.

Fields that exist in more than one connected table are suggested first, since they can filter both at once.

The list can include tables you have never used in this report, because the functions available to you bring their source tables with them.

Creating a filter manually

Use this when the filter you want is not in the library.

1. In the Filters panel, select Create manually.
2. Choose the first table and the field, for example Region from your financials table.
3. Choose the equivalent field from each of the other connected tables.
4. Create the filter.

Using a filter

Click the filter in the panel, select the values you want, and confirm. The report refreshes on your selection.

You can select more than one value, and a filter can either keep only the values you pick or leave them out. Each filter shows its selected values beside its name, or All when nothing is selected.

A filter selection belongs to the spreadsheet rather than to you. When a colleague changes one, everyone sees the report on their selection.

Clearing a filter

Clearing a filter returns it to All. It does not delete it, and the filter stays available in the report.

Clear one filter on its own, or clear them all at once from the top of the Filters panel.

Managing filters

Manage filters is the central list of every filter in the report. It shows each filter's name, the tables it affects, who created it and when it was last changed, which helps when several people work on the same report.

The affected tables column is the quickest way to check whether a filter actually reaches the table you expect.

From the same list you can edit a filter, to add or remove connected tables and change which field is mapped from each, or delete it. Deleting removes it from the report and leaves the other filters untouched.

Getting help

Contact the Datarails Support team at support@datarails.com, or reach out to your dedicated Customer Success Manager.

Updated September 28, 2026 11:21