Filtering calculation group items

[MonsterJoe]

Hi forum.

Does anyone know if it is possible to set up a slicer or filter to do filtration on which calculation group items to show in a report?

That would be some kind of dimension that enables the user to only choose a subset of the items in the calculation group to appear in the report.

Any links to deep knowledge about calc groups would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

[SpartaBI · Accepted solution]

@MonsterJoe 
No problem.

[AlexisOlson · Accepted solution]

Yes, this is possible.

As @SpartaBI experienced, I also get an error if I try to create a relationship with a calculation group.

However, a workaround is to add a calculated column to the CalculationGroup table and use that column on a slicer.

Please see the attached as a simple working example.

[MonsterJoe]

Hi @AlexisOlson 

Really nice approach! I will process in that direction.

BTW - do you guys have any feeling about how large a calc group can be in terms of number of items - with regard to performance? Having the option to group and filter will give great dynamic possibilities (in combination with calc group scripting) - especially if the limit on items is high.

[AlexisOlson]

I have not experimented with massive calculation groups, but I don't have any reason to believe that the number of items is particularly important so long as you are only using a limited number at any given time.  Obviously, if you're trying to use lots of items all at once, then you have to actually compute each of them.

[SpartaBI]

Very cool!

@MonsterJoe check out @AlexisOlson solution. 

Didn't believe you can actually add a column to a CG table, so didn't even think of trying that 😆

[SpartaBI]

@MonsterJoe 
You can use the ordinal column of the calculation group to filter the available Items shown in the report but I don't think as far as I know you can group them. Only to split them to different CG's

[MonsterJoe]

Interesting!

Can you elaborate on: You can use the ordinal column of the calculation group to filter the available Items shown in the report

Thank you very much 🙂

[SpartaBI]

• @MonsterJoe 
  CG's come with the order by column defalut name: "Ordinal". By default it's a hidden column. If you un hide it you can put it in the filter pane and by choosing there you can filter only the related CI's.

[MonsterJoe]

@SpartaBI 

Okay - I get it. As we have no way to create a relation to the "Ordinal" column there really isn't any grouping or filtering options.

Thanks for clarifying.

[SpartaBI · Accepted solution]

@MonsterJoe 
No problem.

[SpartaBI]

In this aspect it's like any other column. You can put that column in the report / page / visual level filter, only choose the ones you want to be availalbe and hide / lock that filter. Than add another one visible so users could choose from it

[MonsterJoe]

That's of course true.

I am looking for a data driven way – i.e. having a large amount of calc items in a calc group - and having the items mapped to a “grouping” attribute in another dimension.

[SpartaBI]

Good one 🙂
I assume you tried creating that dimension and couldn't connect it to the CG table.
Never tried it, and just did, and it's not possible.
Will try to think of it and update if I came up with something or not