A Global Value is a user-defined date, word, or number that can be easily updated in multiple filters at once across a report. If many sections in a report contain the same filter that needs its value changed often, you may find it easier to use a Global Value instead.
For example, many reports use a Program filter as well as date filters for Start Date and End Date, so it's common to have these three global values applied to report filters.
Note: Global Values also allow users to change filter values in a report without needing access to the Report Builder.
Follow the steps listed below to learn how to create a Global Value and apply it to a report filter.
Step 1: Navigate to Global Value Properties
At the top of the report, click '+ Add' next to the Global Values section.
This will open the Global Value Properties window.
Step 2: Set up a Global Value
Enter a name for your Global Value in the text field. For example, if we report on services provided to participants and filter for services provided through a specific program, we can create a Global Value named 'Program'.
Then, choose what type of data your Global Value contains. A Global Value can only be applied to report filters that have the same data type. Since we're filtering our report based on the 'Program' column with text data, we'll use a Text-type Global Value.
Notes:
Consider how the filter a Global Value will feed into is configured. For example, if our Program filter is set to 'Equals', leaving the Value field empty in the Text Global Value's properties means the report will filter for data with empty or null 'Program' values. However, if the Program filter is set to 'Contains', having a blank Text Global Value field will display results from every program. You can then change the Global Value to filter for a specific program. Using the 'Contains' condition in a report filter may be preferred as it can provide this flexibility when changing Global Values.
For Date Global Values, however, we recommend always entering a Value within its properties in MM/DD/YYYY format, otherwise the report will display no results when run.
Next, review the Options for your Global Value:
Locked: Selecting this prevents standard users from editing the Global Value when running the report and inadvertently adjusting filters that may cause report errors.
For example, adjusting an unlocked date filter and changing the referenced column to one with a different data type can make a report section non-functional.
Hidden: This hides the Global Value from users when running the report.
Finally, select 'Apply' to save your Global Value.
Step 3: Apply the Global Value to your filters
To feed the Global Value into your report filters, go to a report section and click on the green text of a filter.
This will open the Filter Properties. Under 'Options', check the 'Global' box to turn the report filter into a Global Filter.
A blank dropdown field will appear in the Rule section for you to select which Global Value should be applied to this filter. Here, we've selected the 'Program' Global Value we created in the previous step.
Select 'Apply' to save your filter, then repeat this step with every report section filter you want to apply the Global Value to.
The report section's filter will then display square brackets ([ ]) around the Global Value to differentiate it from other report filters.
Changing the Global Value at the top of the report will automatically cascade into every Global Filter that references it at once.
Notes:
Text Global Values are both spelling- and case-sensitive. For example, if the 'Program' Global Filter was set to 'Equals', "Workforce Training" must be entered fully and accurately with no extra spaces or line breaks in order to return any results.
Global Values can only hold one value at a time and cannot be used for multi-select option fields, such as a "Matches Any Of" filter.
Copying a report will not copy the Global Values added to the report. They will need to be recreated in the new report's Global Values section.
Global Values are not available to users when viewing the report inside a Report Bulletin in the My Apricot tab. To access Global Values for such reports, you must click "View Full Report" at the bottom of the bulletin.
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