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Hot to apply Dashboard filters across multiple datasources
How do I make global filters apply across multiple datasources where the field name is the same?
Let's say that I have 2 different data sources that are each used to create a table and a graph. These tables/graphs are combined in a dashboard view. Each of the different datasources has the same "StoreType" data field which contains values of either "New" or "Old". In each of the table/graph tabs I created a quick filter on "StoreType".
Now on the dashboard, I want to create a truly global filter on "StoreType" that will filter all 4 elements (graph/table from the first datasource and the graph/table from the second datasource. However, when I create a quick filter on the dashboard and make it global, it only changes 2 elements - the table/graph from the same datasource. How can I make this quickfilter apply across both data sources anc change all the graphs? Again, the field name is the same.
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Hi Jason,
The short answer is that global scope only goes as far as the datasource (as you've noticed), and Tableau doesn't yet support joining together different datasources.
The only thing that works across datasources at this time is the sheet-linking mechanism. That's a little awkward for your case, though, as you have no logical workflow reason to set a filter, then follow two sheetlinks to update your "other two" views.
If you have multiple data sources (that you can't join in any way at the db level) that are at different levels of detail, then sheetlinks work very well for drilling down to related data. At the same level - all I can say is that the topic/problems of cross-database joining, or data-mapping, has been talked about several times within the development team.
I have the same issue as Jason - a need to have the ability for a "global filter" applied across all sheets that have a field of the same name, irregardless of the number of different data sources that I am using. The data can not be married at the db level.
Can the Tableau team comment on whether this is a feature they are considering for a future development? Or if it is something they have decided they will not be able to do?
I too, would really appreciate this feature. We do reports that involve many different levels of data that cannot be linked. But they all have the same commonality, the group name and the date. If we could select this once, our job would be some much faster, and subject to less error.
Same here. I have different charts I need to lay out on a dashboard where the customer unit is the same, but the data for the charts are drawn from around 4 different databases (Sales, Forecasts, Backlog, Renewals). Each has a "CU" field.
Ian W.
Just in case you didn't notice, Tableau 4 lets you get close to what you want with sheet links on dashboards. Just define a sheet link destined for your dashboard, and define the appropriate filters for each data source that appears on your dashboard. Then when you use that sheet link, you'll in effect be applying a global filter on the dashboard across multiple data sources.
I wanted to let Tableau know that I was having the exact same issue. I have sheetlinks in my workbook that are working fine for drill downs, but it would be extremely useful if I could have _one_ quick filter box to go across multiple datasources. In my case, the field names are the same, but I would like it to be mappable, similar to how the sheetlinks allow you to map one field name to another.