Defining and managing filters (AskiaVista)

A filter allows you to create a table based on a sub-set of the original sample. Whenever you define a table, you can select a filter to apply to it (in the table's general properties), which then reduces the data set accordingly. For example, you might create a filter that specifies individuals who own an Android phone. When you apply this filter to a table, only Android users will be included in that table.

Filter management is carried out in the filters view. To open the filters view, click view at the top of the screen, then click filters.

In this topic:

• Creating a new filter from scratch
• Creating a filter based on an existing one
• Editing an existing filter
• Saving changes to a filter
• Sharing a filter with co-workers or clients
• Deleting a filter
• Checking a filter's syntax

Creating a new filter from scratch

To create a filter from scratch:

1. If the Filters view is not already open, at the top of the screen click View, then Filters.
2. At the top of the Filters view, click Create a new filter:
   
3. You can then define the filter; see defining a filter, below.

Creating a new filter based on an existing one

Sometimes, you will want to create a new filter based on an existing one. This means that you only need to change some aspects of the new filter, rather than defining it from the ground up.

To edit a filter:

1. If the Filters view is not already open, at the top of the screen click View, then Filters.
2. At the top of the Filters view, select the filter you want to copy from the drop-down list.
3. Click Duplicate the current filter:
   
4. You can then define the new filter; see defining a filter, below.

Editing an existing filter

To edit a filter:

1. If the Filters view is not already open, at the top of the screen click View, then Filters.
2. At the top of the Filters view, select the filter you want to edit from the drop-down list.
3. You can then define the filter; see defining a filter, below.

Defining a filter

The following fields are available when you define a filter:

• Caption: A label for the filter that will be visible in your tables. You can use Askia keywords in this field.
• Description: An optional description of the filter. You can use Askia keywords in this field.

AskiaVista offers two ways to define a filter, Assisted mode and Script mode. To select the mode you want to work in, simply click Assisted or script as appropriate. Each mode offers its own benefits:

• Assisted mode: allows you to create conditions by using a GUI. You select the elements of your filter from an easy-to-use interface, and you do not need to know askiascript. For details, see using assisted mode.

• Script mode: allows you to create even more sophisticated filters by using AskiaScript. For details, see using script mode. AskiaVista can help you check that your script's syntax is correct. See checking a filter's syntax for details.

Saving the filter

When you have finished creating or editing the filter, you will want to save your changes. At the top of the Filters view, click Save the current filter:

Sharing a filter with co-workers or clients

You can share a saved filter with other AskiaVista users (co-workers or clients). If you want to share a filter you have just created, note that you need to save it first (click Save the current filter).

To share a filter:

1. If the Filters view is not already open, at the top of the screen click View, then Filters.
2. At the top of the Filters view, select the filter you want to share from the drop-down list.
3. Click Share the current filter:
   

The Share filter modal displays a list of the people with whom the filter is currently shared.

To add a person to the list:

1. Click in the text-box at the bottom of the window. A drop-down list appears, containing the people who have AskiaVista accounts.
2. To quickly find someone in the drop-down list, start typing part of the person's name, and the list will be filtered to show the people whose names contain the letters you type.
3. Select the person from the drop-down list which appears.
4. Click Add (you can add several people at once if you wish; this means that if you are adding multiple people, there is no need to click Add after every name).
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for each person you want to add.
6. Click Share. The Share filter modal closes.

You can remove a person from the list, which means that they lose all rights to use or change the filter.

To remove a person from the list:

1. In the Share filter modal, select the person in the list.
2. Click Remove:
   

You can set the access rights and sharing rights for each person in the list, by selecting from the dropdown lists as appropriate.

The access rights are:

• View only: The person will be able to use the filter in their table definitions, but will not be able to make changes to it.
• Can edit: The person will be able to use the filter in their table definitions, and make changes to it.
• Is owner: The person will be granted owner privileges to the filter. This means that he or she will be able to use the filter in their table definitions, make changes to it, and delete it.

The sharing options are:

• Cannot Share: The person will not be able to share the filter with other users.
• Can Share: The person will be able to share the filter with other users.

Deleting a filter

You can delete a previously saved filter, if you have the appropriate access rights for that filter.

To delete a filter:

1. If the Filters view is not already open, at the top of the screen click View, then Filters.
2. At the top of the Filters view, select the filter you want to delete from the drop-down list.
3. Click Remove the current filter:
   
4. When you are asked to confirm your choice, click Yes.

Checking a filter's syntax

When you are defining a filter, you can have askiascript check its syntax. AskiaVista will report any incorrect syntax, and, if the syntax is correct, indicate how many interviews within the current data-set satisfy the filter. To check the filter's syntax, simply click Check filter: