Dynamic List Parameters

A dynamic list parameter is made up of a set of elements, measures or custom element lists, from a chosen data model. This is in contrast to static parameters, which are 'hand-built' with static logic.

Data driven dynamic list parameters can be built using quick tools directly in Discover. However, they can be designed with more control from Formulate using the Parameter designer wizard. Editing of parameters is also done in the Formulate tool.

Creating a Dynamic List Parameter

Model Or Global

  1. Launch a Formulate session and choose Parameters.
  2. Select Model as the parameter's scope (purple arrow below).
  3. You now need to select the target data source model that this parameter will operate against; choose any model in the system from the drop-downs (yellow box below).

    4. Use the filtering (green arrows) and search tools (blue arrow) to find your model more easily.

Parameter Type

  1. Next you need to choose its type: Data Driven (orange arrow below). Since our dynamic list is going to be driven by the data in the model itself.
  2. Then, make your selections:
    1. Select a hierarchy from the model (green arrow).
    2. Select elements (purple arrow). If you have logical selections made with other list definitions you can use those (green box below) or hand-select the elements. Click the List Builder button (yellow arrow) to import and auto-select a list of elements.

Your selections will appear in the last panel (blue arrow):

Dynamic Measure Parameters

Dynamic Parameters are usually built against hierarchies. However, they can also be built using measures - using the same technique as above. These can then be used as a measure parameter slicer in queries in Discover and Present. This way, you can inject the required measure into the query at runtime. Measure parameters can also be built on the fly in Discover.

Example

The example below shows how to build and use a dynamic list parameter. For a more advanced example see the manual cascading slicer example.

Closed Dynamic List Parameter Example

Step 1: Choose an Option

Start by opening the Parameters module, and then select a data model to work on:

Step 2: Select a Type

Under Type, select Text, to produce a parameter slicer that will display a list of elements.

Step 3: Specify Members

From the Select Hierarchies window, open the dimension where your required member hierarchy is located. Click the relevant hierarchy to select it - its elements will appear in the Select Elements window. Select the elements that you want to include in your parameter. If required, you can use the list builder to import and auto-select a list of elements (red arrow below).

You can also select other parameters that have been built using the selected hierarchy. If the Fx button appears, this indicates existing parameters (green arrow). Click the Fx button and find the required parameter in the folder tree.

Step 4: Selection Mode

  • Multi Select: allows the selection of multiple elements simultaneously from the parameter slicer
  • Single Select: allows the selection of one element at a time from the parameter slicer

Step 5: Default Value

Select the default value (where the value will appear within the visual when the parameter is injected into a query) for the selected set of elements.

Step 6: Visualization

Select the visualization type for your parameter slicer. You can choose between a drop down list and a list box. The drop down box is useful if your parameter is based on a large set of elements. Save your parameter.

Step 7: Open in Discover

To inject your parameter into a new discovery right away, click Quick Discovery in the ribbon:

Note: the Quick Discover button will only be enabled once you have saved your parameter.

To access your parameter later in Discover:

  • In the Dimensions panel, find the hierarchy that your parameter was based on. Right click on the hierarchy and click View Elements (red highlight below)
  • At the top of the Elements panel, click the Fx button (green highlight)
  • Find and select the parameter from the folder tree (blue highlight)

Your parameter will be added to the query as a dynamic slicer. Add any other required hierarchies, elements, or measures to the visual as needed.