Skip to content

How To Filter and Search

Jump to bottom
gappc edited this page Oct 7, 2023 · 6 revisions

This feature enables you to perform targeted searches within specific columns, saving you time and effort when searching for specific data points or patterns. By providing this convenient access to filters within each column of the table view, we aim to streamline your data exploration process and make it easier for you to find the information you need efficiently.

Where to access the filters

To use the filters, simply navigate to the column header in the table view that corresponds to the data you want to search. You will notice a small dropdown arrow next to the column header, indicating the availability of filters. Clicking on the dropdown arrow will open a dialog box where you can define your filter criteria and basic search. This allows you to quickly search and narrow down the data based on the values present in that particular column.
Furthermore, you can access the filtering dialog box by clicking on the green arrow on the bottom right of your screen.

You can select the filter operator (such as equal to, contains, etc.) and enter the filter value directly within the filter menu. Once you apply the filter, the table view will instantly update to display only the rows that match your specified criteria.

databrowser_filter_1

Basic Search

The basic search is a simple and convenient way to search for specific text within the "Title" and "Description" columns of your data. It allows you to quickly find records that contain the input text you provide. It searches for an exact match or even partial matches within the text. The basic search is designed to provide a quick way to find relevant information without the need for complex filter configurations. It's important to note that the basic search is different from the advanced filter options, which allow for more precise and customizable filtering based on various criteria.

odh_filters_2

Filter

This feature enables to have custom filtering.

It's important to note that filters are always combined with an "&" (AND) condition. This means that all selected filters must meet their respective criteria for a record to be included in the filtered results.

You can eliminate one filter at a time or reset all the filters at once.

odh_filters 3

Step 1 - Select the attribute or column

Choose the attribute you want to apply the filter to. You will find a dropdown menu with all the available options for that specific dataset.

Note that the filter value type will change depending on the attribute. For example, the Source State and Open Data Hub State attributes are boolean and accept true and false values. Edited is a date. Languages and PublishedOn are arrays and so on.

Step 2 - Choose the operator

Once you've selected the attribute, you can choose from a variety of operators to define the filter condition:

  • equal to: All the entries with a 100% match
  • not equal to: All the entries that have NOT a 100% match
  • like: All the entries whose text contain the search term (match must not be 100%, meaning that the search term can be located anywhere in the text)
  • greater than: All the entries with a greater value than the input value, can also be applied to text (a is greater than b)
  • greater or equal: All the entries with a greater value or are equal to the input value, can also be applied to text (a is greater than b)
  • less than: All the entries with a lesser value than the input value, can also be applied to text (b is less than a)
  • less or equal: All the entries with a lesser value or are equal to the input value, can also be applied to text (b is less than b)
  • is null: All the entries that do NOT have any value for the chosen attribute
  • is not null: All the entries that have a value for the chosen attribute Can only be used if the attribute chosen is an array:
  • includes: All entries with a 100% match inside an instance of the array
  • not includes: All the entries that have NOT a 100% match inside an instance of the array
  • likein: All the entries that contain the search term (match must not be 100%, meaning that the search term can be located anywhere in the text of the entries)

Step 3 - Insert the filter value

After selecting the operator, you can input the value that you want to use as the filter criterion. This value can be a specific text, a number, a date, or any other relevant data depending on the selected attribute.

Potential issues and challenges

While using our filter and search functionalities, it's important to be aware of potential challenges and issues that you may encounter. Here are some common challenges:

No Search Results with Filters

There might be instances where applying filters in combination with a search query does not yield any results. This can occur when the search query and filters are too specific or conflicting, resulting in no matching records. To address this:

  • Refine your search criteria by using broader keywords or adjusting the filter conditions.
  • Ensure that the filters and search query are not contradictory. Review the applied filters and search terms to ensure they align with your intended search objective.

Compatibility of Filters and Operators

It's essential to consider the compatibility of filters and operators to avoid unexpected behavior. Incompatible combinations can lead to errors or inaccurate results. Here's what you should keep in mind:

  • Ensure that you apply filters to attributes that are compatible with the selected operators. For example, using numerical operators on numeric attributes and text operators on text attributes.
  • Refer to our documentation to understand which operators are compatible with different data types.

Excessive Filters Resulting in No Data

Stacking multiple filters on top of each other can sometimes create conditions that result in no matching data. Here's how you can address this issue:

  • Review your applied filters and consider whether they are too restrictive or conflicting. Adjust or remove filters that may be preventing any records from meeting all the specified conditions.
  • If no results are found, consider broadening your search criteria or removing some filters to widen the scope.

Support & feedback

If you're experiencing any issues or have questions, we encourage you to reach out to our support team. They are dedicated to providing you with the assistance you need. To contact our support team, please send an email to help@opendatahub.com

We value your feedback and suggestions as they help us improve our services and make your experience even better. We would love to hear from you if you have any ideas for optimizing the filter functionality or any other features. Please email your feedback to help@opendatahub.com. Your input is important to us, and we appreciate your time and effort in helping us enhance our platform. Remember, we are committed to providing you with the best possible user experience and are always here to support you.

Clone this wiki locally