How to Create Slicers

Slicers give users control over large datasets by applying filters that show or hide data. When a slicer on the MSPbots widgets is selected, filters are applied and users view only the data that is useful for their task or goal. This article shows the procedure for creating slicers that will allow clients to easily refine data for themselves. 

Before you start, make sure that you are logged in to MSPbots with administrator permissions. Only Admin would be able to create a new slicer. 

Follow these steps when creating slicers 

1. On the MSPbots app's menu, go to Settings > Slicer.
   
2. Click the New Slicer button on the Slicer tab. This step opens the New Widget window. 
3. Next, select the Dropdown List slicer type on the New Slicer window. This action opens the Widget Builder window.
   
   
4. When the Widget Builder window opens, provide the following: 
   • Name - Give the slicer a name. 
   • Description - Provide a short description. 
   • Role - Select which role/s should be able to access the slicer. Either User or Admin or both.
     
     
     
     
5. Click the Apply button.
6. Next, go to Dataset and click the + button. 
   
7. Select New Layer on the window that appears. This step opens the Dataset window.
   
   
8. Do the following on the Dataset window: 
   • Select a dataset to use. It should be in line with the dataset of the widget/s that would be linked to the slicer.
   • Add columns by selecting an option from the Column Name dropdown list and assigning an Alias and Business Type for each. Click the + icon to add more rows.
   • Add values for the Filter, Measure, and/or Dimension, as well as on Order By, if they are necessary for the data that you need.
     
     Important: Make sure to tick the checkbox for Remove Duplicate Data. Also, most common is that you will only be needing to add values on the Filter and Order By. 
     
     
9. Click the Save button then the Apply.
10. Next, go to Config and provide data for the following fields: 
    • Text - Input the Alias of the column name you want to use. 
    • Value - Input the same Alias you have entered in the text field. 
    • QueryParams - Input the same Alias of the column name from the text field. 
    • Watermarks - Input the words/phrase you want to appear on the slicer before value is chosen. E.g. Select a Board. 
    • Filter Label - Input the slicer's label. E.g. Board or Board Name.
    • Select - Choose whether to select ALL or Only First. This is in line with when you tick the Multiple Mode check box.
      When you select ALL, the default selected value of the slicer would be all the available values for it, thus, the widget/s linked to it would show all the data for those values. But when it is Only First, the default selected value would be the first available value of the slicer. 
      
11. Click Apply. This will show a preview of the slicer that you have created.