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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.

Configure the tool

Select the type of filter to use.

• Basic filter: Use the basic filter to quickly build a simple query on a single column of data.

  Build a basic filter

  1. Click Select column to select the data to filter on.
  2. In the next drop down, select the operator to use depending on the data type of the selected column.
  Numeric operators

  =	Value matches input
  !=	Value does not match input
  >	Value is greater than input
  >=	Value is greater than or equal to input
  <	Value is less than input
  <=	Value is less than or equal to input
  Is null	Value is a missing or unknown value
  Is not null	Value is not a missing or unknown value

  String operators

  Equals	Value matches input
  Does not equal	Value does not match input
  Comes before (<)	Value sorts to come before input
  Comes after (>)	Value sorts to come after input
  Contains	Value is found in any part of the string (case sensitive)
  Does not contain	Value is not found in any part of the string (case sensitive)
  Is null	Value is a missing or unknown value
  Is not null	Value is not a missing or unknown value
  Is empty	Value is Null or ""
  Is not empty	Value is not Null or ""

  Date operators

  =	Value matches input
  !=	Value does not match input
  >	Value is greater than input
  >=	Value is greater than or equal to input
  <	Value is less than input
  <=	Value is less than or equal to input
  Is empty	Value is Null or ""
  Is not empty	Value is not Null or ""
  Date range	Value is a selected start and end date
  Start date and periods after	Value is the selected first date and a set number of periods that follow
  End date and periods before	Value is the select last date and a set number of periods that precede

  DateTime operators

  =	Value matches input
  !=	Value does not match input
  >	Value is greater than input
  >=	Value is greater than or equal to input
  <	Value is less than input
  <=	Value is less than or equal to input
  Is empty	Value is Null or ""
  Is not empty	Value is not Null or ""
  Date range	Value is a selected start and end date
  Start date and periods after	Value is the selected first date and a set number of periods that follow
  End date and periods before	Value is the select last date and a set number of periods that precede

  Select Filter only Date data to truncate the Time data and filter using only the Date data.

  Spatial operators

  Is null	Value is a missing or unknown value
  Is not null	Value is not a missing or unknown value

  Time operators

  Is null	Value is a missing or unknown value
  Is not null	Value is not a missing or unknown value

  Boolean operators

  Is true	Value is true
  Is false	Value is not true
  Is null	Value is a missing or unknown value
  Is not null	Value is not a missing or unknown value

  3. Complete the expression by typing a value or selecting the available date values.
     • Select a dynamic option to automatically update the workflow to that relative date every time the workflow is run, or select a Fixed date.
     • When creating an expression based on a date and related periods, select the Period type and the Number of periods to set the date range.

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

  Build an expression

  Use any of these methods to build an expression:

  • Type directly in the expression editor.
  • Press Ctrl + Space to view a list of all functions.
  • Type a word or phrase to view a matching list of functions.
  • Type a [ (left bracket) to view a list of variables that can be used in the expression.
  Variables
  • Columns: Data from an incoming connection, or from a column created in a previous expression.
  • 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 search and browse through categories of functions. See Functions.
  • Click Columns and Constants to search and browse through incoming or newly created columns and constants.
  • Click Recent and Saved Expressions to search and browse through recent and saved expressions.
  Save an expression

  Once an expression has been built, it can be saved for use at a later time.

  With an expression in the expression editor, click Save Expression, type a name, and click Save.

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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