Slicers let you create different variations of a published document based on different *SLICES* of the available data (for example, customers, employees, departments, and so on). In effect, the user is creating a template in Publish, and can use the Interaction Manager to manage data that will populate the document at runtime.
Adding a slicer opens the Interaction Manager, which is an interface used to connect slicers to publication components (visualizations, dynamic assets, and sections). This interface lets you "wire up" the data elements even if they are from different data models, in different databases, or on different servers.
Once all the artifacts, dynamic text and sections have been added to the template, users can elect to attach one or more slices. This can produce hundreds and thousands of published report variations.
Add Slicers to your Publication
You can add a slicer to your publication in the following ways:
- Add an existing slicer that was built in Discover (see below).
- Build a new slicer "on-the-fly" in Publish:
- Using the Quick Slicer function.
- Using the Advanced Slicer Wizard.
- Using the Add New Slicer button in the Interaction Manager.
Note: You will also use the New Slicer panel when you are creating new page repeaters. For more information, see Page Repeater.
Edit the Slicers on your Publication
Slicers in Publish are configured in the Interaction Manager.
Add Slicers
Add Existing Slicers from Discover
STEP 1
To add filter or parameter slicers that have been saved as part of a query in Discover, find the relevant slicer in the Content folders.
STEP 2
Drag the slicer onto the canvas. This action opens the Interaction Manager.
STEP 3
Drop the slicer onto the Interaction Manager, and find the slicer in the From column. Add interactions from the slicer by selecting the checkbox next the relevant visuals.
When ready, minimize the Interaction Manager.
Note: Your slicer will not be visible from the page view within Publish. You must configure additional slicer preferences when scheduling your Publication. For more information, see Publishing and Distribution.
Create a New Slicer in Publish
Use this option to build slicers on-the-fly, or to filter your publication by elements from other data models.
STEP 1
Click the New Slicer button from the Home ribbon to open the New Slicer dialog.
STEP 2
From the Choose Model panel, select the required server, database, and data model.
STEP 3
Select the relevant hierarchy from the Select Hierarchies panel.
STEP 4
In Set Default Visualization, name your slicer and choose a slicer Type. To specify elements, hierarchy levels, sets, or parameters, switch to Advanced.
STEP 5
Open the Interaction Manager from the Home ribbon. From the dialog, check the relevant boxes to add slicer interactions to visuals.
STEP 6
Save changes to your report, and configure slicer settings from the Selections tab in the Schedule dialog. See Share and Schedule a Publication for details
Delete a slicer
To delete a slicer:
- Open the Interaction Manager.
- Right-click the slicer heading and select Delete Slicer.
Edit slicer settings
To edit a slicer's settings, for example, limiting your slicer to only include those elements that are relevant to the publication that you are creating:
- Open the Slicer Settings view, by opening the Interaction Manager from the Publication Ribbon, right-clicking the header relating to your slicer, and selecting Slicer Settings from the context menu.
- In the Slicer Settings panel, configure the Slicer Settings, such as the slicer title and the elements included on the slicer. For more details about these settings, see Interaction Manager.
