Actually there are also filtering operations at a lower level. Here we are going to have a look into the order of operations within either of dimension filter and set filter.
A good understanding of the filtering options will let us take advantage of the versatile functionalities of the dimension and set filters. Especially, the filters within are not affected by dimensions in view. Otherwise, equivalent individual filters may require more sophisticate setups, such as advanced table calculations.
1. Dimension Filter
For every dimension, when placed in the filter shelf, right click it and select the 'Filter' option, you will see this interface with 4 tabs: General, Wildcard, Condition, Top.
2. Set Filter
Creating a set is a way to define a subset of a dimension. Three filters can be defined when creating the set. Two filters can be defined after the set is placed in the filter shelf. There could be as many as 5 filters to be defined within a set filter.
2.1 Filters in creating a set
When creating a set, you are presented with this interface:
Thus there are 3 filters in creating a set. The order of operations is from left to right.
2.2 Filters after placing the set in filter shelf
When placing a set in the filter shelf, we can configure two more filters.
2.3 The order of operations within set filters
Again, the order of operations is from left to right. In total, we can define as many as 5 filters in cascade within a set filter.
Again, the order of operations is from left to right. In total, we can define as many as 5 filters in cascade within a set filter.
3. Minor Filter Descriptions (subcategories of filters)
Inside both dimension and set filters, there are 4 minor types of filters: General, Wildcard, Condition, Top. Each filter will further narrow the scope of the data set. Below are brief descriptions of the filters.
Inside both dimension and set filters, there are 4 minor types of filters: General, Wildcard, Condition, Top. Each filter will further narrow the scope of the data set. Below are brief descriptions of the filters.
3.1 General filter
There are 3 options in a general filter: Select from list | Custom value list | Use all
It is a filter by checking on/off a list of dimension members. Here is an article on using custom value list.
It is a filter by checking on/off a list of dimension members. Here is an article on using custom value list.
This filter is string-search based on the name of the dimension members.
3.3 Condition filter
This is a measure filter, using one or more measures as conditions.
This is a measure filter, using one or more measures as conditions.
3.4 Top filter
This is a rank filter, which is a special table calculation filter. Using this one can avoid setting up sophisticated advanced table calculations when using a standalone rank filter.
This is a rank filter, which is a special table calculation filter. Using this one can avoid setting up sophisticated advanced table calculations when using a standalone rank filter.
4.Conclusion
By understanding the order of operations of the dimension and set filters, we can create filters in a compact way, instead of creating individual calculated fields as filter or setting up advanced table calculations. Here is a workbook comparing various ways of implementing the same filter.
Note that set filter has precedence over dimension filter, and set filter is basically a special dimension filter, we may have as many as 5+4=9 filtering options for any particular dimension.
The diagrams for the above order of operations are drawn in Tableau and can be downloaded here.
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