Overview of Section Filters

Filters are used to restrict the data that is returned from a query to a data source. Some relational and multidimensional data sources include predefined filters that you can select for a specific category. For relational data sources, you can also create custom category filters in SAS Web Report Studio.
There are three types of section filters that you can select or create:
  • filters that are applied without prompting. Values for these types of filters are supplied when the filter is created or edited. When a report section is viewed, these filters are applied without prompting. If the filter was created by using SAS Web Report Studio, then you can edit the filter to use different values. You cannot modify filters that are defined with the data source, but you can remove them from the query.
  • prompted, or interactive, filters. The values within prompted filters are obtained right before the report section is run. Typically, the prompts within the filters have default values. Before the report can be displayed, you must complete a prompt window. After the report is displayed, you can change the prompt values to see different results. The prompt style (drop-down list, selection list, text box) depends on how you or the data source administrator created the filter. To change the prompt values, refresh the report data as described in Refreshing the Data in a Viewed Report.
  • cascading, prompted filters provide different filter choices depending on a previously selected filter value. Basically, these filters are a special type of prompted filter. For example, if you select Clothing as the value for a Product Category filter, then the subsequent filter for Product Name might be restricted to choices such as Eclipse Sportswear, Tracker T-shirts, and Green Tomato Knitwear. However, if you select Camping Gear as the value for the Product Category filter, then the Product Name filter might be restricted to choices such as Orion Trekking Poles, Eclipse Sleeping Bags, and Tracker Backpacks.
Tip
Before creating a new section filter, review Creating Section Filters.