Setting Compound Filters

In some cases, you may want to set two distinct filters on the same Request item or create compound constraints using more than one item.

Use the Filter line to build compound filter expressions. The Filter line enables you to apply more than one filter to one item, or create compound conditions dependent on more than one constraint.

Drag an item to the Filter line more than once and apply different logical operators to create a complex constraint. For example, to retrieve dollar values greater than $100 or less than or equal to $10, drag the Amount item to the Filter line twice, and set two separate filters. An AND operator is placed between the icons on the Filter line and the data set is constrained by both conditions.

Similar logic can be applied using two filters and substituting the OR operator. For example, to retrieve customers in the Cleveland area and those who have purchased more than $100,000 worth of goods, you can place a filters such that City = Cleveland and SUM(Sale Amount) > $100,000 and join them with the OR operator.

Note:

The second instance of an item on the Filter line displays a “_2” next to the item name.

  To create compound Filter line expressions:

  1. Add two or more items to the Filter line and apply individual filters using the Filter dialog box.

    An AND operator is displayed between each item on the Filter line.

  2. In the Query section only, click the small arrow at the left edge of the Filter line.

    The Filter line is adjusted to display the Filter line control buttons.

  3. On the Filter line, select filter controls to complete the equation.

    • To switch Boolean operators AND and OR, double-click the operator to change.

    • To enclose suboperations, select the items you want to enclose and click the parentheses button. To remove parentheses, select a parenthesis and click Remove on the shortcut menu.

    • With an item selected on the Filter line, click Var to make the filter variable.

      When using compound filters, verify that the expression delivers the correct results.

      Tip:

      The following syntax rules apply to all Filter line expressions. When creating a compound filter, be sure to verify that the expression is delivering the correct results.

    • The AND operator retrieves data that meets both conditions. To retrieve data which satisfies either of two conditions, use the OR operator.

    • By default, equations are solved from left to right, with enclosed sub-operations evaluated first. AND is evaluated before OR.

    • Sub-operations allow you to override the default evaluation order, and may be required for certain operations involving both AND and OR operators.