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Filter Tool

The Filter tool queries records by using an expression and splits data into two outputs: True, where the data meets the specified criteria, and False, where the data does not meet the specified criteria.

Use this tool to identify records in your data that meet a specified criteria. You may choose to handle records that come from the True output differently than the False output by connecting additional tools to the workflow on either side.

Configuration Properties

Select the type of filter to use.

• Basic Filter: Use the basic filter to quickly build a simple query on a single field in the incoming data steam.

  To build a basic filter

  1. Click Pick Field and select existing data to apply an expression.
  2. Click the drop-down in the next field and select the operator to use. Depending on the data type of the selected field, choose from the following basic operators:

  =	Equals
  !=	Does not equal
  >	Is greater than
  >=	Is greater than or equal to
  <	Is less than
  <=	Is less than or equal to
  Is Null	Is a missing or unknown value
  Is Not Null	Is not a missing or unknown value
  Is Empty	Value is Null or ""
  Is Not Empty	Value is Not Null or ""
  Contains	Value includes any part of the string (case sensitive)

  3. Type a value in the next field to complete the expression.

     If you are filtering on dates, the default value will be today's date. Use the calendar drop down to pick from the calendar to properly format the date value.

• Custom Filter: Use the custom filter to build a more complex expression or to query from multiple fields in the data stream.

  To build an expression

  Use any of these methods to build an expression:

  • Type directly in the expression editor.
  • Click Variables to browse through variables that can be used in the expression. Double-click the variable to add it to the expression editor.
  Variables
  • Fields: Data from an incoming connection.
  • Connections from Questions: Values from an Interface tool connected to the Question anchor of a tool with an expression editor, when the tool is used in an app or macro. Use the Question anchor when you want question values to be used as variables in the expression. See Interface Tools.
  • Constants: Global variables for a workflow that make it possible to change a value in a single location and have that change apply to the rest of the workflow. See Constants.
  • Click Functions to browse through categories of functions. Double-click the function to add it to the expression editor. See Functions.
  • Click Saved Expressions to browse through recent and saved expressions. Double-click the expression to add it to the expression editor.
  To save an expression
  • Type the expression.
  • Click Save.
  • Type a name for the expression and click OK.

Because this tool includes an expression editor, an additional input anchor displays when the tool is used in an app or macro workflow. Use the Interface tools to connect to a Question anchor. See Interface Tools.

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