A global filter in Datarails allows users to consistently refine and view data across multiple dashboard widgets, even if sourced from various places. By selecting specific data types, like dates, users can adjust multiple reports simultaneously. These filters can be easily created, accessed, modified, or removed to hone in on specific data subsets across the entire dashboard.

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• Filters are applied to tables and functions. In this article we refer to tables, but the same applies to functions.
• Filters can operate at the local and global levels in the Dashboard.
• Filters can be based on one or more fields.

The Difference Between Local and Global Filters

Types

• Local Filters

• Global Filters

You can filter a selected widget or apply a global filter to affect all widgets on that specific dashboard. Here is a summary:

Local Filters

• The “last X days” option is editable and flexible when building widgets
• You can choose between last / next
• Time dimension options include: day / month / quarter / year
  

1. From the Dashboard, hover over the widget and click the Edit icon (pencil). The Filters dialog box opens.
   
2. Click Edit. A new screen opens.
3. Drag one or more field/s for the filter onto the Filter pane. You can also add filter/s to an axis or legend.
   
4. Click Done. The filter will apply to the selected widget. 

Make sure the checkbox Show in Dashboard is selected.
A dashboard can have up to three local filters.

1. From the top right of the Dashboard, click Add.
2. Select Add / Edit Global Filter.
3. Click Add. A dialog box opens.
   • Name: Name the filter.
   • Field Type: Select the correct field type from the dropdown. If the type is not correct for the selected field, the filter will not work, i.e., a date type for a date field.
   • Table / Fields: Select the table that contains the filter field, and then select one or more fields to create the global filter. A filter can contain multiple fields.
4. Click Save. The filter will apply to the whole dashboard.
5. To refine the filter, click the Filter icon next to the filter field.
6. From here you can select from a range of options such as date range, time dimension, show in the dashboard, allow nulls, override global filter, and more.

When you have the selections required, click Save.

Global Filters

A global filter applies to all the widgets in the dashboard.

1. From the Dashboard, select Add, then Add / Edit Global Filter.
2. Click Add and enter a Name.
3. Select the Filter Type of the field for the filter.
4. In the Table / Fields section, select the table used for the dashboard, and the specific field from that table.
5. To add the field, click +, then click Add, and then Done.
   • The filter will now show at the top left of the dashboard.
6. To refine the filter, click the dropdown and select the subset. The visuals will alter accordingly.
7. To remove the global filter, click Clear Filters.

You can override the global filter on specific visuals. Edit the filter on the specific visual.
Example. You have a global filter where the dashboard visuals are filtered for the year 2020. However, the Year on Year (YoY) visual needs to show 2019 and 2020.

Lists

Lists are drawn directly from a field in a Datarails table. A-List is a dropdown similar to an Excel data validation list. A-List is useful when you want to reference a specific selection in a function.

A Datarails List is different from a Datarails Filter because:

• a list doesn't filter
• you can only select a single option from the list

Getting Started

1. Login to the Workspace.
2. Verify that the list you created via the Excel Add-in is part of a Datarails function.
3. Select the Dashboard where you want to use the list and verify that the range is published in the Dashboard.
4. From the top right, click Add, then Add / Edit Global Filter
   • Click Add.
   • Name: Name the Filter.
   • Filter Type: Select the correct type.
   • Select the field for this List.
   • Tick the Update Excel Lists Only box.
5. Click Add. The list will update the data accordingly.

Updated September 12, 2023 19:28