1. Using Advanced Controls
  2. Arrange Filters in a Transaction Model

Arrange Filters in a Transaction Model

As you add filters to a transaction model, position each vertically or horizontally with respect to others to determine their processing order:

  • A vertical arrangement indicates an AND relationship: Filters at one level are evaluated before those at the level below it, the topmost first and the bottommost last. Presuming that processing at any vertical level returns records, processing continues on those records at the next level. Records selected at the final vertical level constitute the model results.

  • A horizontal arrangement indicates an OR relationship: If any one filter within a horizontal set returns results, processing moves to the next vertical level.

Keep these concepts in mind:

  • When you add a filter, it appears by default below the lowest filter in your model hierarchy. Arrows connect filters, indicating the flow from one filter to another as they're evaluated.

  • You can drag and drop existing filters to new positions within the model: Drag a filter so that it overlays any other filter. A dialog box appears; in it, click And or Or.

    If you select Or, the filter you dragged moves alongside the other filter. If you select And, the filter you dragged moves beneath the other filter. The arrows connecting the filters adjust themselves to reflect the new AND or OR relationship.

    You can't move a filter above the top filter in your model hierarchy, but you can move that top filter below any other.

  • You can edit or delete a filter. Click on it and select the Edit or Delete icon in the Model Logic panel.

  • You can define filters so that one depends on another. For example, a function filter may use groups defined by a standard filter. You can't delete a filter if another filter depends on it. In the example, you can't delete the standard filter until you first delete the function filter. A padlock icon indicates a filter others depend on.

  • You can incorporate filters into groups: First select those you want to include. You must select all the filters in a horizontal set, or adjacent filters in a vertical set. Hold down the Ctrl key as you click the filters you want. Then select Create Group. You can drag and drop groups in the same ways as individual filters.

    By default, each group you create is named "Group." To rename it, select it and click the Edit icon in the Model Logic panel.

    To dissolve a group but retain its contents as individual filters, select it and click the Remove Group button. To delete a group and the filters that belong to it, select it and click the Delete icon in the Model Logic panel.