Filter Types

Overview

In this article, we will explore the four different types of filters that can be applied to charts within a dashboard.

Filter Types

In the Add and edit filters window below, you'll notice two tabs: Settings and Scoping. This section covers the Settings tab (selected by default). The Settings tab is organized into Required Fields at the top, followed by Filter Configuration and Filter Settings.

Required fields

• Filter Type: Select a filter type. Options include Value, Numerical range, Time range, Time column, and Time grain (see individual descriptions below). 
• Dataset: Select the dataset to use. By default, all datasets associated with the dashboard's charts are available. Appears for Value, Numerical range, Time column, and Time grain filter types. 
• Filter Name: Enter a short descriptive name for the filter. 
• Column: Select the column the filter applies to. Appears for Value and Numerical range filter types.

Filter Configuration

• Values are dependent on other filters: When enabled, the available values in this filter update based on selections made in other filters. 
• Pre-filter available values: Restricts the values shown in the filter dropdown using a pre-defined condition. 
• Sort filter values: Sorts the filter values alphabetically.

Filter Settings

• Description: Optional description shown to dashboard viewers. 
• Match type: Controls how the filter matches values. See Match type section below. 
• Filter has default value: Sets a pre-selected value when the dashboard loads. 
• Filter value is required: Dashboard charts won't load until the viewer selects a value. 
• Select first filter value by default: Automatically selects the first available value. 
• Allow creation of new values: Lets viewers type and apply values that don't exist in the dataset. 
• Can select multiple values: Allows viewers to select more than one value at a time. 
• Dynamically search all filter values: Queries the database as the viewer types, instead of loading all values upfront. Useful for large datasets. 
• Inverse selection: Charts show everything that does not match the selected value(s).

Value Filter Type

This filter type creates a drop-down menu populated by all available values associated with the selected column (Column field).

For example: If you select a Value filter type and then—in the Column field—you select Platform, then a drop-down filter menu appears on the dashboard that enables you to filter by platform. When applied, all charts within the dashboard will only display data as it relates to the selected "Platform" filter.

Here's what the configuration might look like:

...and the drop-down filter, titled "Select a Platform" from the Filter Name field, looks as follows:

In the above example, we opted to filter by the PS4 platform.

To apply the filter, choose a value and then select Apply Filters. The charts within the dashboard will refresh and display the filtered data.

Match Type

By default, a Value filter matches exact values chosen from a dropdown. To let viewers search by partial text instead, change the Match type in the filter's Settings.

Notes 

• Partial matching is not case-sensitive. 
• With a partial match type, the filter shows a text input instead of a dropdown. Charts update as the viewer types. 
• Available for text columns only. 
• Partial matching can be slow on very large tables because the database may not use an index. Use Exact match when the list of values is manageable. 
• When combined with Inverse selection, charts show everything that does not match the typed text.

Numerical Range Filter Type

This filter type creates a range slider that enables you to specify a starting & ending point based on numerical values available from data in the selected column.

For example: If you select a Numerical range filter type and then—in the Column field—you select EU sales, then a range slider filter appears that enables you to select a starting & ending range. When applied, all charts within the dashboard will only display data as it relates to the selected sales range filter.

Here's what the configuration might look like:

...and the range slider filter, titled "Select a Range" from the Filter Name field, appears as follows:

In the above example, we opted to specify a range from 16 to 26.

Note that you can view the minimum slider setting by hovering your cursor over the leftmost anchor point ("0" here):

...and you can view the maximum slider setting by hovering your cursor over the rightmost anchor point ("29" here):

To apply the filter, define a numerical range and then select Apply Filters. The charts within the dashboard will refresh and display the filtered data.

Time Range Filter Type

This filter type creates a button filter that, when selected, launches Preset's Edit Time Range functionality. This is identical to the Time Range field used when creating a new chart.

For more information about how to edit a Time Range, please see  Time Configurations.

Here's what the configuration might look like:

In this example, we specified a default value of "Last month" and defined a filter name of "Select Time Range".

This configuration would appear as follows:

To apply the filter, select and configure a time range, then select Apply Filters. The charts within the dashboard will refresh and display the filtered data.

Time-shift control for time comparison

How to use this option

To use this feature, you need at least one aggregated Table/Interactive Table chart in your dashboard, and then select a time range for it. After this, write or select the Timeshift option you want for your Time Range and click on Apply Filters:

Time Column Filter Type

This filter type creates a drop-down menu that enables you to select a new dashboard-level time column that will overwrite any existing time columns defined at the chart level.

Here's what the configuration might look like:

...and the drop-down filter, titled "Select Time Column" from the Filter Name field, appears as follows:

To apply the dashboard-level time column, select a time column option and then select Apply Filters. The charts within the dashboard will refresh and display the filtered data.

Time Grain Filter Type

This filter type creates a drop-down that enables you to select a time granularity. When applied, all timestamps are grouped based on the selected time grain. 

Here's what the configuration might look like:

...and the drop-down filter, titled "Select Time Grain" from the Filter Name field, appears as follows:

In the above example, we opted to specify a time grain of Minute.

To apply the dashboard-level time grain grouping, choose a time grain and then select Apply Filters. The charts within the dashboard will refresh and display the grouped data.

By default, the filter lists all time grain options supported by the dataset, however users can pre-filter the list by checking the Pre-filter available values option:

This is helpful to avoid granularities that are not compatible with the data.

Related Topics

Dashboard Filtering
Filter Types
Parent-child Filter
Pre-filter Data
Sort Filter Values
Single Value Range
Filter Tooltip
Managing Values
Scoping a Filter
Cross-filtering
Managing Filters