Create an Expression Filter

Using expression filters, you can define more complex filters using SQL expressions. Expression filters can reference zero or more data elements.

For example, if you want to filter the visualizations on your canvas to show only the products where the actual price was greater than the target price, you can create and apply the expression filter Actual Unit Price > Target Unit Price.

You can use the Expression Assistant to speak or type a natural language request. For example, to filter your data you might enter "show me results where the temperature is greater than 80".
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You can use expression filters in the filter bar to apply to a canvas or the whole workbook, or you can use one as a visualization filter to apply only to a single visualization. You can’t add an expression filter as a dashboard filter control, but you can add one as a visualization filter to the dashboard filters visualization.

You can add an expression filter to a filter group (preview), see Use Filter Groups in a Workbook.

You can use a parameter in an expression filter's SQL expression, see Use a Parameter in an Expression Filter.

You can compose a filter expression in various ways:
  • Speak or type a natural language request using the Expression Assistant. For example, to filter your data you might enter "show me results where the temperature is greater than 80".
  • Directly enter text and functions in the Expression field.
  • Drag and drop data elements from the Data pane into the Expression field.
  • Start typing a column name in the Expression field and select it from the list that displays.
  • Open the functions panel in the Expression Filter dialog and drag and drop functions into the Expression field.

For information about the elements you can use in an expression, see Expression Editor Reference.

  1. On your home page, hover over a workbook, click Actions, and select Open.
  2. For a workbook or canvas filter, in the filter bar, click Add Filter Add Icon and then select Create Expression Filter.
  3. For a visualization filter:
    1. Click the visualization to select it.
    2. Click Grammar, scroll to the Filters area, click Drop Target Options, and then select Create Expression Filter.
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  4. In the Expression Filter dialog, in the Label field, give the expression a name.
  5. In the Expression field, compose an expression.
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    Tip: Speak or type a natural language request using the Expression Assistant. For example, to filter your data you might enter "show me results where the temperature is greater than 80".
  6. Click Validate to check if the syntax is correct.
  7. When the expression filter is valid, click Apply.