AX1526

Filtering data in Axiom forms

Axiom forms can be designed to show different data depending on choices you make in the form. Generally speaking, this can be done in two ways:

• The form itself can contain interactive components such as combo boxes, check boxes, text boxes, and radio buttons. The form designer can design the form so that the data changes based on the selections you make with these components. In this case, how the interactivity is presented and how it works is totally up to the form designer.

• The form can be set up to use refresh variables. In this case, you can use the standard Filters panel to enter values for those variables, and then apply the values to refresh the data in the form.

Using the Filters panel to filter data

To open the Filters panel, click the Filters icon in the gray task bar across the top of the form.

This panel displays the refresh variables for the form:

• To update the data in the form, make selections for each refresh variable and then click Apply. The form will be updated to show the latest data based on your selections.

  Variables can be required or optional. If the Apply button is inactive, this means that a selection has not yet been made for a required variable. If a variable is optional, then you can choose to leave it unselected.

• If the variables already have selected values, you can clear all existing values by clicking Clear All. You can then start over and select new values for each variable. You can also clear any individual variable by clicking the X button to the right of the variable.

• To close the Filters panel without changing the current report parameters, click Cancel. The form will not be updated.

Example Filters panel

By default, the Filters panel overlays the form on the left-hand side. When you click the Apply or Cancel button, the panel closes so that you can view all of the form. If desired, you can click the pin icon in the top right-hand corner of the panel to pin the panel open. In this case, the form is pushed to the side so that you can view the refresh variables and all of the form at the same time. When pinned, the panel remains open until you click the pin icon or the filter icon again.

The type and content of the refresh variables are up to the form designer. Ideally, each variable should be named so that its meaning is obvious to you. Note the following:

• Some variables take "free-inputs," meaning that you can type any value into the field. The only restriction is the data type of the value. Some variables can only accept numeric inputs (with or without a decimal), while others can accept text and/or numbers.

• Other variables are restricted to a defined set of valid values. In most cases, these variables are presented as a searchable drop-down list.

NOTE: The gray task bar is only available if it has been enabled for the form. Even if the task bar is available, the Filters icon will only display if the form has defined refresh variables (which is determined by the form designer).