How to Set Today's Date as Default Filter in Sisense
Sisense is a powerful business intelligence platform that helps organizations make data-driven decisions. One common task in Sisense is filtering data by date. In this article, we will explore how to set today's date as the default filter in Sisense, simplifying your data analysis process.
Understanding the Need for Default Filters
Default filters streamline your data analysis by automatically applying filters based on predefined criteria. Setting today's date as the default filter ensures that you always start your analysis with the most up-to-date information. This can be particularly helpful when you regularly need to see data for the current day, such as daily sales reports or website traffic statistics.
Methods for Setting Today's Date as Default Filter
Here are two common methods for setting today's date as the default filter in Sisense:
1. Using the Sisense Interface
- Open your Sisense dashboard: Navigate to the dashboard containing the widget you want to filter.
- Locate the filter widget: Find the filter widget corresponding to the date field you want to filter.
- Select "Today" in the filter: Look for a "Today" option within the filter dropdown. This option usually represents the current date.
- Save the filter: Once you've selected "Today", ensure you save the changes to your dashboard. This will make the "Today" date the default filter for future analysis.
2. Using the Sisense Scripting Language (DSL)
For more advanced customization, you can utilize the Sisense Scripting Language (DSL). Here's how to set today's date as the default filter using DSL:
- Open the DSL editor: In your Sisense dashboard, access the DSL editor. This is typically available through a "Script" or "Edit Script" option.
- Create a DSL script: Create a new DSL script and add the following code to define a variable that represents today's date:
var today = new Date();
- Apply the filter: In the same script, apply the filter to your widget using the "today" variable. The exact syntax might vary slightly depending on the specific widget and data source. Here's a general example:
widget.filter('dateField', today);
- Save and run the script: Save the script and run it. This will apply the "today" date as a default filter to your widget whenever you access the dashboard.
Example: Setting Today's Date as Default in a Sales Dashboard
Let's assume you have a Sisense dashboard displaying daily sales figures. To set today's date as the default filter for the "Sales Date" field, you could follow these steps:
- Open your sales dashboard: Navigate to the sales dashboard.
- Locate the "Sales Date" filter: Find the filter widget related to the "Sales Date" column.
- Select "Today" from the filter: Choose the "Today" option within the filter dropdown.
- Save the dashboard: Save the changes to the dashboard.
Now, every time you open the sales dashboard, it will automatically display sales figures for the current day.
Tips for Managing Default Filters
- Consider user needs: Before setting default filters, carefully consider the needs of your dashboard users. Ensure the defaults are relevant and helpful for their analysis.
- Test thoroughly: After implementing default filters, thoroughly test the dashboard to ensure they work as expected and don't disrupt any existing functionality.
- Document changes: Clearly document any changes made to default filters. This will help users understand why certain data is being displayed and make it easier for you to maintain the dashboard in the future.
Conclusion
Setting today's date as the default filter in Sisense is a simple yet effective way to streamline your data analysis. By automatically applying the filter, you can ensure that your analysis always reflects the most up-to-date information. This can save you time and effort, enabling you to quickly gain insights from your data. Whether you use the Sisense interface or DSL scripting, the methods outlined in this article will help you effectively manage default filters and enhance your Sisense experience.