Filtering report data with selection formulas

Selection formulas specify and filter the records and groups that appear in a report. There are three possible selection formulas that you can use to filter your data:
  • Record selection formula
  • Saved data selection formula
  • Group selection formula
The following table shows what types of fields will be allowed in different report filters:
 
Record selection formula
Saved data selection formula
Group selection formula
Parameters
X
X
X
Summaries
-
-
X
Print time formulae/running totals
-
-
-
The following table shows the differences in behavior associated with the different report filters:
 
Record selection formula
Saved data selection formula
Group selection formula
Can refer to the summary?
No.
Yes.
Yes.
When is the formula evaluated?
While reading records.
If a summary is used, at print time; otherwise, while reading records.
At print time.
When is the report refreshed?
If the evaluation result is false, when records are dropped.
If records are being read, when evaluated. If the evaluation result is false, when records are dropped.
N/A
Affects the summary calculation?
Yes, records that are filtered out are not counted.
If the filter is evaluated while reading records, then no; otherwise, yes.
No, records are counted even when they are filtered out.
You can apply the saved data selection formula on the output of the record selection formula. The following diagram shows the flowpath of how the record selection and saved data selection formulas are used:
Record selection formula
The Record selection formula specifies which records will form report saved data. This selection formula allows two levels of filtering:
  • Filtered out by database
  • Filtered out by report processing engine
Saved data selection formula
The SavedDataFilter allows users to view a subset of the data saved in a report. Changing the SavedDataFilter will not discard the data saved in a report or result in a database hit.
Group selection formula
The Group selection formula specifies which records will be considered when report pages are rendered. This formula typically uses values produced in earlier stages of report processing, such as summaries.
Note: Group selection formula filters on records and not groups.