---
title: "Using Jinja to filter and retrieve ArrayType Column data"
slug: "using-jinja-to-filter-and-retrieve-arraytype-column-data"
updated: 2026-09-09T10:54:41Z
published: 2026-09-09T10:54:41Z
canonical: "docs.preset.io/using-jinja-to-filter-and-retrieve-arraytype-column-data"
stale: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.preset.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Using Jinja to filter and retrieve ArrayType Column data

## **Overview**

This article covers how to use Jinja Templating to retrieve filter selection that can be used directly to filter datasets that contains an ArrayType Column data.

## **The Process**

This process consists of 3 steps:

1. Create a Virtual Dataset from unique array values.
2. Create a Virtual Dataset.
3. Set up the Dashboard and Filters.

Let's have a closer look at each step.

---

## **Step 1: Create a Virtual Dataset from unique array values**

For this example, we will use a `Hobbies` table with the following data:

```
{"name":"John","age":30,"hobbies":["reading","sports","gaming"]}
{"name":"Alice","age":25,"hobbies":["photography","cooking"]}
{"name":"Bob","age":35,"hobbies":["music","movies","traveling"]}
{"name":"Matthews","age":27,"hobbies":["sports"]}
{"name":"Claire","age":19,"hobbies":["photography","traveling"]}
{"name":"Maria","age":20,"hobbies":["gaming"]}
```

Here are the results when querying it via SQL Lab: ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/4749ddf8-aa05-4f3f-80e1-07a5d2d0f137/Images/Documentation/image(428).png)

Next, extract the `Hobbies` array column into all possible unique values. Run the query below to create a Virtual Dataset that lists all unique values:

```
SELECT DISTINCT $new_column_name 
FROM $database_name.$table_name
CROSS JOIN UNNEST($column_name) AS t ($new_column_name);
```

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/4749ddf8-aa05-4f3f-80e1-07a5d2d0f137/Images/Documentation/image(429).png) Once the results look right, click on the drop down arrow next to the "Save" option and select "Save dataset".

Fill in all the necessary fields and click save.

---

## **Step 2: Create a Virtual Dataset**

Now, let’s create a Virtual Dataset to power the chart. Since filtering on array columns using `contains($column_name, ‘$value')` is not natively supported in Superset, we will need to use a Jinja condition within a Virtual Dataset to achieve this:

```
SELECT *
FROM preset_support_test.array
WHERE 1=1
{% if filter_values('unique_hobbies')|length %}
  and contains(hobbies, '{{filter_values('unique_hobbies')[0]}}')
{% endif %}
```

Following is some additional context on the above query:

1. `WHERE 1=1` is an “always true” filter condition, so that we can append the additional filter when needed.
2. `{% if filter_values('unique_hobbies')|length %}` checks if there’s any value applied to a dashboard filter created from the `unique_hobbies` column.
3. `contains(hobbies, '{{filter_values('unique_hobbies')[0]}}')` in case the IF statement is true, this line would be added to the dataset query. The `filter_values()` Jinja macro returns an array of selected items, so `[0]` indicates we would use the first value.
4. `{% endif %}` is used in Jinja syntax to indicate that the IF statement is finished.

---

## **Step 3: Set up the Dashboard and Filters**

Now, let's create a table chart using the virtual dataset from Step 2 and add it to a dashboard. Then, create a filter powered by the original dataset from Step 1.

When setting up the filter, keep two things in mind:

- Deselect "Can select multiple values". This filter is designed to return results for a single selected value only.  

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/4749ddf8-aa05-4f3f-80e1-07a5d2d0f137/Images/Documentation/image(430).png)
- Manually map the filter to the chart. Since the filter was created from a different dataset, it won't be mapped automatically. Go to the **Scoping** tab to configure this.  

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/4749ddf8-aa05-4f3f-80e1-07a5d2d0f137/Images/Documentation/image(431).png)

Great work! Once a hobby is selected in the filter, the chart will display all records containing that hobby. ![Array List.gif](https://cdn.document360.io/4749ddf8-aa05-4f3f-80e1-07a5d2d0f137/Images/Documentation/Array%20List(1).gif)