Swapping Filters Using a Parameter

Published: 07 Apr 2017
Last modified date: 07 Apr 2023

Question

How to filter the view differently based on a parameter value.

For example, swapping between filtering the view to see sales for this month or sales that were over $1000.

Environment

Tableau Desktop

Answer

The attached example workbook uses the sample data set Superstore to demonstrate the following directions:

Step 1: Create a Parameter

Click the down arrow next to Dimensions in the data pane and select Create Parameter…
In the Create Parameter dialog, do the following and click OK:
1. Name the parameter. In this example I will call it "Choose a filter"
2. For Data Type, choose String
3. For Allowable values, select List
4. Add two options to the list for "sales this month" and "sales over $1000"
Right-click [Choose a filter] in the data pane and select Show Parameter Control.

Step 2: Create the following Calculated fields

Select Analysis > Create Calculated Field...
Create a Calculated Field called "Sales this month filter" using the following formula:
```
DATEPART('month', [Order Date]) = DATEPART('month', TODAY())
```

Select Analysis > Create Calculated Field...
Create a Calculated Field called "Sales over $1000" using the following formula:
```
[Sales] > 1000
```

NOTE: for this example, the calculated fields for the separate filters must return TRUE or FALSE

Select Analysis > Create Calculated Field...

Create a Calculated Field called "Swap Filter" using the following formula:

( [Choose a filter] = "sales this month" AND [Sales this month] )
OR
( [Choose a filter] = "sales over $1000" AND [Sales over $1000])

NOTE: for this example, the calculated fields for the separate filters must return TRUE or FALSE

Step 3: Enable the Swap Filter calculated field

Drag [Swap Filter] to the Filters shelf.
In the Filter dialogue, tick True and click OK.

Additional information

This method will only work in a cube data source if all of the filters only use measures because cubes restrict the usage of dimensions in calculated fields. To learn more, see Creating a Calculated Field Using Dimensions with a Cube Data Source.