How To Use Parameters To Set The Default Values Of Quick Filters

Published: 04 Dec 2021
Last Modified Date: 12 Dec 2023

Question

How to use Category Parameter to set the default values of Sub-Category filter?

Environment

Tableau Desktop

Answer

The ability to set default values of a quick filter by parameter is currently not built in the product. As a possible workaround use the filter from filter action. Follow the steps below and see the attached workbook.

Create a worksheet for filter action

1. Create a new worksheet filter action
2. Add Category to Rows, Sub-Category to Text
3. Create a calculation field Category Filter

[Category]=[Parameters].[Category]

4. Add Category Filter to Filters, select True

Create the filter action on dashboard

1. Create a dashboard solution
2. Add worksheet original to the dashboard
3. Add worksheet filter action to the dashboard
4. Hide the title of worksheet filter action
5. Right click row Category, select Hide field labels for rows
6. Adjust the size of worksheet filter action to hide the text of Sub-Category
7. Select from menu bar Dashboard > Actions
Add Action > Filter...
Create a filter action like the following:
User-added image

8. Click the category text in worksheet filter action
9. Click More Options from worksheet Original, select Filters > Action (Sub-Category)
10. Confirm default values are set correctly in Filter Action (Sub-Category)

Note: Sample workbook as well as the video is available for download from the links on the right side of this article.