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Using Parameters in Dashboards

Dashboard Parameters allow a single Dashboard to display different data sets without requiring multiple copies of the same Dashboard. Instead of building individual Dashboards for different Parts, Processes, Locations, or date ranges, you can use Parameters to dynamically control what data is displayed.

In this guide, you will create a Dashboard that uses Parameters to filter data by Material and date.

Prerequisites

This guide assumes you have collected data across multiple dates and that your data records include multiple values of at least one Traceability field. For this guide, we will filter data using the Material Traceability.

If you do not have these prerequisites, first complete the following guides:

Create the Dashboard

To begin, create a new Dashboard. The fastest way to create a new Dashboard is to navigate to the Quick Chart menu entry, which acts as a shortcut for a new Dashboard.

Add a Retrieval

Next, add a Retrieval:

  1. Press the Add Retrieval button. An image showing the location of the Add Retrieval button on the Dashboard
  2. Fill in the Retrieval Name with Parameter Demo.
  3. Modify the Date field to a range which includes data for your Process. An image showing the name and date fields
  4. Select your Process in the Processes field. An image showing the process field
  5. (Optional) Update the Maximum Records to Retrieve per Standard to include more data.
  6. Press Confirm. An image showing the confirm button

Add Parameters

Add a Material Parameter:

  1. Select the Parameter button. An image showing the location of the Parameter button on the Dashboard toolbar
  2. Change the Label to Material and the Type to Traceability. An image showing the Label and Type fields in the property window
  3. Press the Traceability button in the property window, then select the Material Traceability in the overlay. An image showing the Traceability button in the property window
  4. Resize the Parameter to take up less vertical height.

Add a Date Parameter:

  1. Select the Parameter button.
  2. Change the Type to Date.
  3. Resize the Parameter to take up less vertical height.

Tip

Parameters are automatically linked to all Retrievals that exist when the Parameter is created. If you add more Retrievals later, those Retrievals must be linked to the Parameters manually.

An image showing the Parameters on the Dashboard

Add Charts

Add a Control Chart and a Pareto Chart to the Dashboard. Select the previously-created Retrieval (Parameter Demo) for both.

An image showing the charts and parameters

Filter the Dashboard Dynamically

Now test the Parameters by changing their values.

First, select different values in the Material Parameter. Notice that the charts automatically refresh and only display data matching the selected Material.

Next, select a value in the Date Parameter. The charts will refresh again and only display data entered on the selected date.

An image showing charts filtered to a particular material and date

To remove a filter, clear the Parameter's value.

Exercise

Parameters behave the same while editing and viewing a Dashboard. Save and view the Dashboard, then experiment with changing Parameter values.

See Also