Explore and Analyze Data41% of the exam
Parameters in calculations, filters and reference lines
Create a parameter (data type, All, List or Range), tie it to a calculated field, a Top N filter or a reference line or band, expose it with a parameter control or a parameter action, and make its list and current value refresh when the workbook opens.
Create parameters to enable interactivity: In calculations; With filters; With reference lines; Set parameters to dynamically refresh.
~8 min read · 13 practice questions ·
What the exam expects
- Create a parameter with the right data type and allowable values, and show its control.
- Use a parameter in a calculated field, a Top N filter and a reference line or band, and diagnose one that "does nothing".
- Make a parameter's list and current value refresh when the workbook opens, and predict failures.
- Configure a parameter action's run on, aggregation and clearing settings; the rest is in Set actions, parameter actions, dynamic zones and buttons.
Key terms:
- Parameter: a workbook variable that can replace a constant value.
- Parameter control: a worksheet card for changing the value.
- Allowable values: All (a text field), List (pick from values) or Range (minimum, maximum and step size).
- Dynamic parameter: a parameter whose list of values or current value refreshes from the data.
Key facts
Where parameters replace constants
- Detail
- Calculations, filters (Top N), reference lines, bands and boxes
String parameter
- Detail
- Doesn't support Range
Reference line from a parameter
- Detail
- Drawn at the parameter's Current Value
Reference band
- Detail
- Value (From) and Value (To), each can be a parameter
Dynamic refresh timing
- Detail
- When the workbook opens, or Refresh on the data source (F5)
Current value calculation
- Detail
- Single-value, view-independent; FIXED LOD
Default field returns null
- Detail
- Current value keeps the latest valid value
Empty list fallback
- Detail
- 1, 1.0, "" or the current date by data type
Parameter action, Aggregation None
- Detail
- Does not run when selected marks have different values
- Which allowable values option turns the parameter control into a simple text field?
- Why is a dynamic parameter's list of values empty when its default field fails to return values?
- When can a parameter action stand in for a parameter control?
- What current value does an integer parameter fall back to when its list is empty and no current value can be assigned?
The questions are free to read. Answers with their sources and self-grading are included with the pack.
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