Using Input Controls to Filter Report Data
17 Using Input Controls to Filter Report Data
We have had a look at restricting data in reports by applying simple report filters using the ‘Add filter’
button and more complex filters using the ‘Report Filter’ interface.
Usually these types of filters are applied and then fixed within reports, i.e. users request certain
blocks of data to only show particular data and these filters to be ‘fixed’ for most purposes.
We also looked at applying filters using the Filter Bar.
The end user is able to dynamically filter the report using the objects within the Filter Bar, but
there is one big limitation in that for each object you can only select one value when filtering.
Input Controls are much more interactive and offer more options for end users when dynamically
filtering the reports.
17.1 Adding Input Controls in Web Intelligence
We will now use Input Controls to make the report filtering process more user-friendly.
1. Create and run the following query using the ‘eFashion’ universe:
2. Save your document.
3. From the left-hand side click on the ‘New’ button in the ‘Input Controls’ tab:
275
Using Input Controls to Filter Report Data
4. We can change the report object on which the Input Control is to be defined against. Ensure [State]
is selected and click ‘Next’:
5. The ‘Define Input Control’ interface will open and a list of Input Controls will be presented
depending on the type of object selected (e.g. Dimension or Measure) and whether the object holds
numerical values or string characters.
‘Single value’ controls allow
users to select only one value for
the object being filtered.
Input Controls have
properties that can
be configured.
‘Multiple values’ controls
allow users to select more
than one value for the object
being filtered.
These
properties
vary depending on
the actual control.
276
Using Input Controls to Filter Report Data
6. For the time being select ‘Radio buttons’ and then click on ‘Next’. Leave the default configuration
property values.
We will have a look at the various Input Controls and their properties later on in the session.
7. The control has to be assigned to a report element in order to filter the data within the selected
element. Select ‘Vertical Table: Block1’ and then click on ‘Finish’.
Selecting an individual block (as shown
here) will apply the Input Control to the table
only.
If we selected ‘Page Body’ then all elements
within the report would be affected by
value(s) selected in the Input Control.
This is similar to Block level filters and
Report level filters as described in the
previous session on ‘Filtering Data in
Reports’.
8. The Input Control is now available for use in the Input Controls tab. Simply select a different value
in the Input Control and the data in Block1 will be filtered.
9. Save the document.
277
Using Input Controls to Filter Report Data
The input control we have used is identical to using a filter in the Filter Bar, i.e. only allows a single
value to be selected, but Input Controls ‘appear’ more interactive compared to filters in the Filter
Bar.
Let us now look at an Input Control that allows you to select multiple values.
1. Click on ‘New’ on the ‘Input Controls’ tab.
2. Select [Quarter] and click ‘Next’.
3. Select ‘Check boxes’ and click ‘Next’
278
Using Input Controls to Filter Report Data
4. Select ‘Vertical Table: Block1’ and then click on ‘Finish’.
5. Save the document.
6. The two Input Controls can be used together to filter the data in the table they are both attached to.
279