WebIntelligence allows you to apply filters at two levels:
the query definition – this is the data defined on the Query tab, retrieved from the data source, and returned to the WebIntelligence document
the data displayed in the
report – this is a subset of the query definition data that you want to
display in a specific version of the report
Filters you apply to the query definition are called query filters. You use query filters to reduce the amount of data retrieved from the data source. Query filters decrease the time it takes to run the report and ensure that only the data relevant to the report users is saved with the WebIntelligence document.
Filters you apply to the data displayed in the report are called report filters. Once the report is generated, you or other users can apply report filters to restrict the values displayed in the report table or chart. The values hidden by the report filters are still saved with the WebIntelligence document. You can modify the report filters to display different values in the report or remove the report filters to display all the values retrieved from the data source.
Filtering the query minimizes the size of WebIntelligence documents, reduces the time it takes to refresh report data, and ensures that the data the documents contain is relevant to users consulting the reports. Individual users can then filter the displayed report values by applying the report filters relevant to their specific business focus.