Agregar Filtros y Controles Interactivos en Looker Studio

Implementing filters in dashboards is a powerful tool to customize data visualization according to the specific needs of each user. In the case of Freshmark, with its three branches and managers who need access to information relevant to their area, filtering controls become essential elements for efficient and accurate decision making.

How to implement effective dashboard filters?

Dashboards are fundamental tools for data visualization and analysis, but their true potential is unlocked when we can filter the information according to our specific needs. In the case of Freshmark, a multi-branch company, each manager needs to see only the data relevant to his or her area of responsibility.

To implement filters in our dashboard, we need to go to the "add a control" section. This functionality allows us to create different types of filters that will instantly transform all our visualizations without the need to modify each chart individually.

What types of controls can we use to filter data?

There are several types of controls that we can implement depending on the type of data we want to filter:

• Drop-down list: Ideal for categories such as branches or products.
• Period filter: Perfect for selecting specific date ranges.
• Input box: Useful for specific searches, although with limitations.
• Buttons: Allow you to perform actions such as navigating between pages or downloading reports.

The choice of control type will depend on the nature of the data to be filtered. For example, to filter by branch, the drop-down list is very intuitive as it allows you to select one or more options visually.

How to implement a filter by branch?

To create a filter by branch using a drop-down list:

1. Go to the "add a control" section.
2. Select the "drop-down list" option
3. Choose the correct dataset (in this case, the sales dataset)
4. Select "branch" as the filtering field

Once implemented, we can select a specific branch (e.g. branch 2) and all visualizations will be automatically updated to show only the data corresponding to that branch. It is also possible to select multiple branches simultaneously for comparisons.

How to filter by time period?

Filtering by time period is especially useful for analyzing time trends:

1. Go to "add control"
2. Select "filter by period".
3. Choose the desired date range (e.g. May 1 to June 30).

This type of filter displays a complete calendar, similar to the date selectors used in booking systems. By applying this filter, the sales trend graph will display only the selected months, allowing for a more focused analysis.

In addition, this control offers predefined options such as "last 7 days" or "last 30 days", facilitating quick analysis of recent periods.

How to filter by specific products?

To filter by products, we have two main options:

Input box

This type of control allows you to search for specific products by typing their name:

1. Add a control of type "input box".
2. Select "product name" as a field
3. Enter the product name (e.g. "mineral water").

However, this control has important limitations: it does not offer suggestions and does not show the available categories, which makes it difficult to use when we do not know exactly the names of the products.

Drop-down list for products

A more effective alternative is to use a drop-down list:

1. Add a "drop-down list" type control.
2. Select "product name" as the field

This option displays all the categories available in the dataset, making the selection easier even when we do not remember the exact name of the product.

What additional functionalities do buttons offer?

Buttons are versatile controls that can perform various actions:

• Navigation: They allow you to move between different pages of the report.
• Report actions: They offer functionalities such as:
  • Invite other users
  • Get links to share
  • Clear all applied filters (very useful to reset the visualization)
  • Download the report in PDF format

To implement a PDF download button:

1. Add a "button" type control
2. Select "report actions".
3. Choose "download PDF"
4. Configure whether to download all pages or only specific pages.

This functionality allows you to easily export the entire dashboard for sharing with other team members or for presentations.

Implementing filters and controls on dashboards transforms the way we interact with data, allowing for more accurate and personalized analysis. For Freshmark, this means that each manager can now focus exclusively on the information relevant to their branch, improving efficiency in decision making. We invite you to experiment with the different types of filters and share in the comments which ones you find most useful for your own data visualization projects.