Configuring Dashboard Filters
Learn how to configure global filters for dashboards, including filter criteria, widget mapping, and join information
Configuring Dashboard Filters
Dashboard filters allow you to apply global filters that affect multiple widgets on a dashboard. Filters can filter data across different Objects and widgets, enabling powerful cross-object filtering and data synchronization.
What are Dashboard Filters?
Dashboard filters enable you to:
- Filter Multiple Widgets: Apply a single filter that affects multiple widgets simultaneously
- Cross-Object Filtering: Filter data across different Objects using relationships
- Dynamic Filtering: Change filter values to update all affected widgets in real-time
- Widget Mapping: Map filter fields to widget-specific fields for flexible filtering
- Join Information: Configure relationships between Objects for complex filtering scenarios
How Dashboard Filters Work
Filter Flow
- Filter Definition: Define a filter using a reference object and field
- Filter Criteria: Configure filter conditions (operator, value)
- Widget Mapping: Map the filter field to fields in each widget
- Filter Application: When filter value changes, all mapped widgets update automatically
Key Concepts
- Reference Object: The Object that provides the filter field
- Reference Field: The field from the reference object used for filtering
- Widget Mapping: Links filter fields to widget-specific fields
- Join Information: Defines relationships between Objects for cross-object filtering
Creating Filters
1. Open Filter Configuration
Click the "Add Filter" button in the filters section of the dashboard designer to open the filter configuration modal.
2. Configure Filter Basic Information
Filter Name
Enter a descriptive name for the filter. This name will be displayed in the filter chips above the dashboard.
Required: Yes
Field: Filter Name
Best Practice: Use clear, descriptive names that indicate what the filter does (e.g., "Date Range", "Customer Filter", "Status Filter").
Filter Description
Provide an optional description explaining the filter's purpose or usage.
Required: No
Field: Filter Description
3. Select Reference Object
Choose the Object that provides the filter field. This is the source object for your filter criteria.
Required: Yes
How to select: Use the dropdown to select an Object. The dropdown shows Objects that are used by widgets on the dashboard.
Note: The reference object must be associated with at least one widget on the dashboard.
4. Select Reference Field
Choose the field from the reference object that will be used for filtering.
Required: Yes
How to select: After selecting a reference object, use the field selector to choose a field. Available fields include:
- Regular fields from the Object
- Lookup fields (fields that reference other Objects)
- System properties (id, created_at, etc.)
Field Types: You can filter by any field type (String, Number, Date, Picklist, Lookup, etc.).
5. Configure Filter Criteria
Configure the filter condition using the query builder interface.
Filter Operator
Select the comparison operator for the filter:
String/Text Fields:
- Equals: Exact match
- Not Equals: Not equal to value
- Contains: Contains substring
- Not Contains: Does not contain substring
- Starts With: Begins with value
- Ends With: Ends with value
- Is Null: Field is null
- Is Not Null: Field is not null
- In: Field value is in list
- Not In: Field value is not in list
Numeric Fields:
- Equals: Equal to value
- Not Equals: Not equal to value
- Greater Than: Greater than value
- Greater Than or Equal: Greater than or equal to value
- Less Than: Less than value
- Less Than or Equal: Less than or equal to value
- Between: Between two values
- Is Null: Field is null
- Is Not Null: Field is not null
- In: Field value is in list
- Not In: Field value is not in list
Date Fields:
- Equals: Equal to date
- Not Equals: Not equal to date
- Greater Than: After date
- Greater Than or Equal: On or after date
- Less Than: Before date
- Less Than or Equal: On or before date
- Between: Between two dates
- Is Null: Field is null
- Is Not Null: Field is not null
- Date Literals: Today, Yesterday, Last Week, Last Month, etc.
Picklist Fields:
- Equals: Equal to picklist value
- Not Equals: Not equal to picklist value
- In: Field value is in list of picklist values
- Not In: Field value is not in list of picklist values
- Is Null: Field is null
- Is Not Null: Field is not null
How to select: The operator dropdown automatically shows operators that are valid for the selected field's data type.
Filter Value
Enter the filter value based on the selected operator:
Single Value Operators (Equals, Contains, Greater Than, etc.):
- Enter a single value in the input field
- For picklist fields, select from dropdown
- For date fields, use date picker or date literals (Today, Yesterday, etc.)
- For lookup fields, select from related Object records
Multiple Value Operators (In, Not In):
- Enter multiple values (tags mode)
- Select multiple values from dropdown
- For picklist fields, select multiple picklist values
Between Operator:
- Enter two values (start and end)
- For dates, select date range
- For numbers, enter min and max values
Null Operators (Is Null, Is Not Null):
- No value input required
- Operator alone defines the condition
Value Input Types:
- Text Input: For string/text fields
- Number Input: For numeric fields
- Date Picker: For date fields
- Dropdown: For picklist fields
- Typeahead: For lookup fields (searches related Object records)
6. Configure Widget Mapping
Map the filter field to fields in each widget that should be affected by this filter.
Understanding Widget Mapping
Widget mapping connects the filter field to widget-specific fields:
- Filter Field: The reference field you selected (e.g., "Customer ID")
- Widget Field: A field in a widget that should be filtered (e.g., "Order Customer ID")
When the filter value changes, widgets with mappings update to show only records matching the filter.
Add Widget Mappings
For each widget on the dashboard:
- Select Widget: The widget is automatically listed if it uses an Object related to the reference object
- Select Widget Field: Choose the field in the widget that corresponds to the filter field
- Data Type Matching: The widget field must have a compatible data type with the filter field
Required: At least one widget mapping is required
How it works:
- Only widgets with mappings are affected by the filter
- Widgets without mappings continue to show all data
- Multiple widgets can be mapped to the same filter
Widget Mapping Rules
- Data Type Compatibility: Widget fields must have compatible data types with the filter field
- Field Availability: Only fields from widgets that use Objects related to the reference object are available
- Multiple Mappings: You can map the filter to multiple widgets
- Optional Mappings: Not all widgets need to be mapped (only those you want filtered)
7. Join Information (Automatic)
Join information is automatically generated when:
- Filter fields reference other Objects (lookup fields)
- Widget fields reference other Objects
- Cross-object relationships exist
How it works: The system automatically detects relationships and generates join information to enable cross-object filtering.
Manual Configuration: Join information is typically handled automatically, but you can verify it in the filter configuration.
8. Save Filter
Click "Save" to create the filter. The filter will:
- Appear as a filter chip above the dashboard
- Be available for editing and deletion
- Apply to all widgets with mappings when values are set
Managing Filters
Viewing Filters
Filters are displayed as chips above the dashboard:
- Filter Name: Displayed as the chip label
- Filter Value: Shows current filter value (if set)
- Operator Icon: Visual indicator of the operator type
- Edit Icon: Click to edit the filter
- Delete Icon: Click to remove the filter
Editing Filters
To edit an existing filter:
- Click the Edit icon (pencil icon) on the filter chip
- The filter configuration modal opens with current settings
- Modify filter name, description, criteria, or widget mappings
- Click "Save" to apply changes
Note: Editing a filter updates it for all widgets that use it.
Removing Filters
To remove a filter:
- Click the Delete icon (X icon) on the filter chip
- Confirm deletion in the confirmation dialog
Warning: If a widget is deleted and it was the only widget mapped to a filter, the filter will also be deleted. You'll be notified about affected filters before deletion.
Clearing Filter Values
To clear a filter value without deleting the filter:
- Click the Clear icon on the filter chip
- The filter value is cleared, and all widgets show unfiltered data
Note: Clearing a filter value doesn't delete the filter configuration. You can set a new value later.
Applying Filters
Filters are applied automatically when:
- Filter value is set or changed
- Dashboard is loaded with saved filter values
- Filter is edited and saved
Real-time Updates: Widgets update in real-time when filter values change.
Multiple Filters
Adding Multiple Filters
You can add multiple filters to a dashboard:
- Click "Add Filter" to create additional filters
- Configure each filter independently
- Each filter can have different reference objects, fields, and widget mappings
Filter Combination Logic
When multiple filters are active:
- AND Logic: All active filters are applied together (records must match all filters)
- Independent Operation: Each filter works independently
- Combined Effect: Widgets show only records that match all active filters
Example: If you have "Date Range" and "Status" filters active, widgets show records that match both the date range AND the status.
Filter Priority
- All filters have equal priority
- Filters are applied in the order they were created (for display purposes)
- No filter overrides another filter
Best Practices
Filter Design
- Meaningful Names: Use clear, descriptive filter names
- Appropriate Fields: Choose fields that make sense for filtering
- User-Friendly Values: Use filters that users can easily understand and set
Widget Mapping
- Map Relevant Widgets: Only map widgets that should be filtered together
- Data Type Matching: Ensure widget fields have compatible data types
- Test Mappings: Verify that widget mappings work correctly after configuration
Performance
- Limit Filter Count: Avoid creating too many filters (typically 2-5 filters)
- Efficient Operators: Use efficient operators (Equals is faster than Contains)
- Indexed Fields: Prefer filtering on indexed fields for better performance
User Experience
- Default Values: Consider setting default filter values for common use cases
- Clear Labels: Use filter names that clearly indicate what they filter
- Filter Documentation: Add descriptions to explain filter purpose
Cross-Object Filtering
- Relationship Understanding: Understand Object relationships before configuring cross-object filters
- Join Verification: Verify that join information is correctly generated
- Test Scenarios: Test filters with different data scenarios
Common Use Cases
Date Range Filtering
Filter widgets by date ranges:
- Reference Object: Orders Object
- Reference Field: Order Date
- Operator: Between
- Widget Mapping: Map to Order Date fields in report and datagrid widgets
Status Filtering
Filter widgets by status:
- Reference Object: Tasks Object
- Reference Field: Status (Picklist)
- Operator: Equals or In
- Widget Mapping: Map to Status fields in task-related widgets
Customer Filtering
Filter widgets by customer:
- Reference Object: Customers Object
- Reference Field: Customer ID
- Operator: Equals
- Widget Mapping: Map to Customer ID fields in order, invoice, and payment widgets
Cross-Object Filtering
Filter widgets using related Object data:
- Reference Object: Customers Object
- Reference Field: Customer Name (via lookup)
- Operator: Contains
- Widget Mapping: Map to Customer Name fields in order widgets (using join information)
Related Introduction
- Creating Dashboards - Learn how to create dashboards
- Dashboard Introduction - Overview of dashboards
- Objects Introduction - Understand Objects and relationships used in filters
- Reports Introduction - Learn about reports used as dashboard widgets
- Datagrids Introduction - Understand datagrids used as dashboard widgets